Santa Clara Bruins

Down to their last out in their Central Coast Section-Division IV opener at Carlmont, Santa Clara rallied from a 4-1 deficit to score three runs and force extra innings before winning it in the ninth inning on a Greg Salgado home run.

The Bruins swept through the rest of the tournament, winning a CCS crown and then got all the way to the Northern California finals to finish a magical season with a 29-4 record, a school record for most wins in a season.

Pedro Martiez graduated most of that squad but still brings back two starters and a swagger into its promotion to the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League's De Anza Division.

"We will be young this season along with moving up to the very tough De Anza Division," Martinez said. "We know we will have our work cut out for us. ... We look forward to competing against some of the best public schools in the section."

First baseman Zach Gallegos hit .312 with 20 hits, 18 RBI and 10 stolen bases last year, while Dominick Chavarria, a third baseman and shortstop, hit .300 with 21 hits last year. He scored 23 runs and had eight stolen bases.

Bruce Gibson appears to be the best returning starter. He pieced together a 5-2 record and 3.75 earned-run average to go with 27 strikeouts in 28 innings. Nate Sanchez also figures to step into the rotation.

Catcher Dylan Rahbar hit .286, while second baseman Kyle Yumul will return after hitting .429 in limited time last year.

Newcomers expected to step into available playing time are shortstop and pitcher Kalani Tesimale, outfielder Valentino Changras and Savion Thomas, both of whom topped .400 at the junior varsity level last year, infielder and pitcher Davi Lopez who hit .417 and had a 5-1 record with a 2.15 ERA.

Santiago Lopez could also make an impact, while freshman Joshua Capps could make the jump to the varsity squad.

The year gets underway against Prospect in the season-opening Tamone tourney.

2026 Schedule

Feb. 23 vs. Prospect at Ted Tamone Memorial Tournament, 7 p.m.

Feb. 25 Tamone Tournament, TBA

Feb. 28 Tamone Tournament, TBA

March 5 at Leigh, 3:30 p.m.

March 7 at Menlo School, 11 a.m.

March 11 at Los Altos, 4 p.m.

March 13 Los Altos, 4 p.m.

March 18 at Homestead. 4 p.m.

March 20 Homestead, 4 p.m.

March 25 Wilcox, 4 p.m.

March 27 at Wilcox, 4 p.m.

April 1 at Palo Alto, 4 p.m.

April 3 Palo Alto, 4 p.m.

April 10 at Mountain View, 4 p.m.

April 11 Mountain View, 4 p.m.

April 17 at Los Gatos, 4 p.m.

April 18 Los Gatos, 11 a.m.

April 25 at Westmont, 11 a.m.

Apri 29 at Los Altos, 4 p.m.

May 1 Los Gatos, 4 p.m.

May 6 Mountain View, 4 p.m.

May 8 at Palo Alto, 4 p.m.

May 9 Milpitas, 11 a.m.

May 13 Wilcox, 4 p.m.

May 15 at Homestead, 4 p.m.