The diving efforts of both right fielder Alejandro Madrid and second baseman Rex Lagman results in Madrid claiming the blooper in shallow right. (Photo: sportswurlz.com)

The Evergreen Valley baseball squad played perhaps its best game of the season on Monday afternoon as they claimed a dominating 8-0 victory over Prospect. Starter Alex Lagman and closer Cole Nicholson combined on a two-hit shutout. Nicholson was also on fire at the plate, going 3-for-3, scoring three runs, and driving in one. Robert Gonzalez and Chris Gallegos each hit a two-run double that contributed to the win. The Cougars play tomorrow at Piedmont Hills and host the Pirates on Thursday.

• Evergreen Valley's softball squad began play this weekend in the Charlie Miguel Tournament at Pioneer High School. The Lady Cougars defeated Los Gatos on Friday afternoon 6-0, but split their two games on Saturday, beating Valley Christian 1-0 and falling to San Benito 3-1. They will begin their league campaign this Thursday at Westmont.
• In a non-league match up against cross-town rival Silver Creek, the baseball team defeated the Raiders 3-2. Right fielder Alejandro Madrid broke his hitting slump with two hits and two RBIs, including the eventual game winner in the fourth inning. Alex Resendez threw four innings of three-hit ball to earn the win while Alex Lagman took over for the game's final five outs for the save.
  

A year ago, the Evergreen Valley boys track and field won the West Valley Relays team title by one point, just edging out Los Gatos, North Monterey County, and San Benito. Cougar runners, throwers, and jumpers won much more convincingly this year, earning 65 points, five better than Castro Valley. Kevin Liao won the 5000 meter run in 16:08.66 and Tom Liu took third in 16:56.94, earning 16 big points for the team effort. Ryan Thomas was second in the 800 meters and Derion Taylor finished second in the 110 meter hurdles and won the triple jump. The relays also contributed to the victory, with the 4x100 taking fourth, the 4x400 taking third, and the sprint medley earning second place.

Hurdler Lia Randazzo and distance runner Samantha Garcia exhibited excellent performances for the girls team. Randazzo placed fourth in the 100 meter hurdles and second in the 400 meter hurdles. Garcia set school records in the both the 1500 and 3000 meter runs, running the two races in 5:04.37 and 10:50.56, respectively. In her first race over the 800 meter distance, quarter-mile specialist Erica Arenas ran a courageous race to place 5th in 2:25.37.

• In its first league dual meet of the season, the Evergreen Valley track team defeated Willow Glen in both the varsity boys and varsity girls divisions. The girls were lead in their 102-25 victory by sophomore Jennifer Espinoza (winner of 800m and 1600m) and junior Lia Randazzo (winner in 100m and 300m hurdles). Derion Taylor won the 110m hurdles, triple jump, and set a new school record in the high jump at six feet, two inches, as the varsity boys won by the score of 81-46. The Cougars will compete at the West Valley Relays this weekend at Westmont High School.
• The Lady Cougar softball team routed Mountain View 14-2. Pitcher Bianka Molina threw a complete game two-hitter and also went 4-for-4 at the plate to drive in two runs.
  
• Both boys and girls swim teams suffered losses to a high-powered Pioneer squad on Thursday. The boys fell 127-56 while the girls were defeated 119-76. The team's next meet will be on Friday, March 27 versus Leland.
• Baseball will face non-league opponent Silver Creek on Saturday at noon.
  

Behind seven innings and only three hits allowed by starting pitcher Alejandro Madrid, the Evergreen Valley baseball team won their third consecutive game, defeating Prospect 6-1. The Cougars were highlighted by senior slugger Chris Gallegos's fifth inning hit that drove in two, catcher Mark Milioto going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and third baseman Robert Gonzalez driving in one with a first inning double.

The second game of the two-game set against Prospect scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Prospect has been postponed until Monday, March 23.

The Cougar swim team hosted Santa Teresa for their Mt. Hamilton Division dual meet on Monday afternoon. The boys held off the Saints by the score of 92-78, improving their league record to 2-0. Senior Brandon Pham won the 50 yard free in 23.60, 100 yard free in 53.78, and anchored the winning 200 yard freestyle relay. The girls fell to Santa Teresa 117-68. The Lady Cougars were led by freshman Chloe Rasmussen won the 50 free in 25.35 and 100 back in 1:02.75 while junior Nicole Reyes won the 100 breast in 1:12.90. Evergreen's next meet will be this Thursday at Pioneer.

• Evergreen Valley's swim team opened up its season on Friday afternoon at home against Westmont. The varsity boys team edged the Warriors 87-83. Sophomore sensation Michael Ngo won the 200m invidual medley in 2:03.43, the 100 fly in 57.09, and led the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay to victory.
• On the girls side, the Cougars defeated Westmont by the score of 177-106. Evergreen was highlighted by Chloe Rasmussen winning the 50 free in 25.20, the 100 back in 1:03.59, and both 200 medley relay and 400 free relay.
• The track and field team took a few athletes to the K-Bell Invitational on Saturday at Los Gatos High School. Derion Taylor made his 2009 debut in the triple jump with a victory, jumping a CCS-best 43 feet, 6 inches. Kevin Liao set a personal best in the 3200 meters in 9:52.17 for fourth place and Ryan Thomas led the first 600 meters of his 800 race, but finished fourth in 2:00.74. Erica Arenas ran 59.83 for second in the 400 meters.
• At the Circle of Champions tournament in Salinas, the Lady Cougars softball team fell to Piedmont Hills 2-1. Lauren Clark drove in Janel Salanoa in the 5th inning for Evergreen's lone run.