San Mateo Bearcats

The Bearcats bring back the nucleus of a team that finished closer to the bottom of the PAL-Ocean Division, but coach Neal Goldstein sees a team that could make a dramatic turnaround this season if it catches a break or two.

"We lost just two starters to graduation," Goldstein said. "With three pitchers coming back, we should be able to compete."

San Mateo brings back its top two starters in lefty Christian Louie and right-hander Jesus Olivas. Louie put together an 8-4 season with 81 strikeouts in 58 innings and an earned-run average of 1.93. Olivas went struck out 70 batters in 55 innings and won two games, while piecing together a 3.82 ERA.

When he's not pitching, Olivas plays third base. He hit .340 with 10 doubles, a homer and drove in 18 runs to lead the Bearcats. Outfielder Hudson Brandt put together a strong second half and enters his junior year on a high after hitting .348 and scoring 15 runs.

Shortstop Tyce Copus hit just .240 but had an on-base percentage of .341. Outfielder Wilson Morales is another table setter who will be counted on to maintain last year's .348 on-base percentage.

2026 Schedule

Feb. 25 Mission, 4 p.m.

Feb. 28 Burlingame, 3 p.m.

March 3 at Menlo School, 3:30 p.m.

March 7 Lincoln of San Francisco, 11 a.m.

March 9 at Hillsdale, 4 p.m.

March 12 at Hayward, 4 p.m.

March 14 at Northgate, 11 a.m.

March 18 at Mt. Eden, 4 p.m.

March 21 Washington of San Francisco, 11 a.m.

March 24 Terra Nova, 4 p.m.

March 26 at Terra Nova, 4 p.m.

April 4 at Cupertino, noon

April 7 at Half Moon Bay, 4 p.m.

April 9 Half Moon Bay, 4 p.m.

April 11 Lowell, 11 a.m.

April 14 South San Francisco, 4 p.m.

April 16 at South San Francisco, 4 p.m.

April 18 El Camino, 11 a.m.

April 21 at Woodside, 4 p.m.

April 23 Woodside, 4 p.m.

April 28 at Sacred Heart Prep, 4 p.m.

April 30 Sacred Heart Prep, 4 p.m.

May 2 American of Fremont, 11 a.m.

May 5 Mills, 4 p.m.

May 7 at Mills, 4 p.m.

May 12 Aragon, 4 p.m.

May 14 at Aragon, 7 p.m.