By Sierra Rainbolt
Baseball
The Grizzlies have had their bats, as well as their arms going, continuing to hit opponents where it hurts.
Despite losing its last two games, Cal is 9-7 overall, 3-3 in league. The Grizzlies lost to Castro Valley 5-2 on April 25 and San Ramon Valley 11-1 on April 21.
The Grizzlies are in fourth place behind first place San Ramon, De La Salle and Granada. Cal’s biggest win was a 2-1 victory over Amador, which was ranked nationally at the beginning of the season.
Junior first baseman Tyler Johnson won the game in the bottom of the seventh with a walk-off single. Senior Evan Brisetine pitched all seven innings for the victory.
“The team works really hard,” said coach Dan Ward. “We have a really strong team this year.”
Softball
With only one loss in the season so far, the Grizzlies are ranked second in the East Bay by the Bay Area News Group.
The Grizzlies lost their very first game of the season against Antioch, but Cal has been on a tear ever since by winning 10 straight games to improve to 10-1 overall, 5-0 EBAL.
“Our team has a lot of skill,” said senior Brittany Wright. “It’s how we win our games.”
Cal defeated league rival San Ramon 5-4 on April 21. Sophomore Kwyn Cooper went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
– Sierra Rainbolt
Women’s LAX
The Grizzlies haven’t started as hot as in years past, but for them that means to still be second in EBAL behind always-dominant Carondelet.
Cal is in second place in EBAL with an 9-4 overall record, 4-2 league.
The girls are looking to reach NCS, as they did last year. They are led by top goal scorer junior Jenna Herana, and an outstanding midfield. Jenna has 47 goals in only 13 games and leads the high-powered Grizzly offense which has 136 goals. That is second in EBAL behind only Carondelet once again.
“We’ve beaten some really hard opponents this year,” said Jenna. “We just had some rough patches, but I know if we work as a team no one can stop us.”
– Luke Finkel
Men’s LAX
An inexperienced Grizzly team is finally piecing itself together. They are gradually becoming competitors in EBAL, and hope to become a force in NCS.
Cal is 7-7 overall, 3-5 in EBAL, with back to back losses against Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley. Both ended with a lack of offense on the Grizzly side producing a combined 12 goals in two games, compared to the 41 goals put up by their opponents.
On April 15, Cal hosted the dominant Wolves, 19-10. Hoping to avoid getting blown out again, Cal held its own against a team with multiple Division I prospects on the team, leading after the first quarter. Unfortunately in the end, the Grizzlies faltered and lost the game.
– Luke Finkel
Track & Field
The track and field team is truly a tale of two genders. The girl’s team is 5-0 and leading EBAL, while the guys are 2-3. The women’s team recently beat Monte Vista by two points on April 21, but the men lost to the Mustangs.
While the men have been struggling as a team at meets, high jumper Noel Frazier is one of the best in the state with a jump of 6 feet, 8 inches this year. He is short of the school’s all-time record by only four inches.
The Grizzlies also have one of the top 10 fastest sprinters in the state in sophomore Karris Johnson. He ran the 100-meter dash in 11.17 seconds, which ranks him seventh in school history as only a sophomore.
“The boy’s team is continuing to improve, and will be in the mix,” said coach Mark Karbo.
The ladies are top in EBAL, and hoping to win NCS this year. They are lead by a handful of good runners and throwers this season.
“The girls are favored to win the league championship, and have some members qualify for the state meet,” said coach Karbo.
– Luke Finkel
Men’s Volleyball
With a season full of close games, the men’s volleyball team looks to continue winning.The Grizzlies lost their latest match 3-0 to first place De La Salle on April 19.
The loss puts the guys at 9-5 overall, and 1-2 in league. Cal is in fourth place in EBAL.
“We started off slow, but we are getting better over time,” said senior Brian Alexander.
– Brandon Eiges
Swim & Dive
The swim and dive teams began the season successfully, in both individual races and relays. The team expects to have several swimmers and relay teams make it to NCS this year.
“We definitely have a strong team,” said senior Delise Batiza. “There are going to be many individuals and relays that qualify for NCS.”
On April 15, both the men’s and women’s team defeated Foothill. The men won 107-78, while the ladies defeated the Falcons by a slim margin 94-92.
– Sierra Rainbolt
Men’s Tennis
As the season progresses, the Cal High men’s tennis team seems to be keeping matches competitive and improving their resume for NCS.
The Grizzlies are 13-4 after losing their last match against Monte Vista, 9-0, on April 21.
“It is going well so far, but we are struggling with more matches than last year,” said sophomore Matthew Soeherman. “If we can pull it off, we can make NCS.”
– Brandon Eiges
Men’s Golf
The men’s golf team won its first match of the season against Granada at Poppy Ridge Golf Course on April 12. The Grizzlies beat Granada 220-225 to improve to 1-11 on the season.
– Brandon Eiges
