Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 144

Desperate Rockets ward off Warriors’ bench-led comeback in Game 5, series headed back to Bay Area

HOUSTON – When the Warriors flew to Houston on the eve of Game 5 against the Rockets, the visitors knew they had some margin for error.

And they mostly played like it.

Anyone worried about a fight or scuffle on Wednesday night after a chippy Game 4 had their fears allayed until the fourth quarter as Golden State appeared listless for much of the night.

The Warriors gave up 76 points in the first half to trail by 27 and the white flag was waved by coach Steve Kerr midway through the third quarter as Houston extended the series with a 131-116 victory.

Game 6 will be played Friday night at Chase Center (6 p.m., ESPN).

“I didn’t have them ready to play,” Kerr said. “We can’t come out with that lack of defensive intensity and energy and expect to beat a great team in a closeout game. They set a tone we’re going to need in Game 6.”

After winning Game 4, Warriors forward Draymond Green said he expected the Rockets to throw a punch. 

it ended up looking like a haymaker until Kerr subbed in his reserves with the Warriors down by 30 midway through the third quarter.

That’s when things got interesting.

Led by Moses Moody’s 25 points, along with former lacrosse player Pat Spencer and backup bigs Kevin Knox and Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Warriors cut the deficit to 114-101 with 4:14 left.

The Warriors’ backups made things so interesting, Rockets coach Ime Udoka subbed in his entire starting lineup with 7:34 to play.

Kerr kept his reserves in the game.

Spencer earned an ejection with 4:14 left after he headbutted Alperen Sengun in response to a forearm shot, marking the end of the comeback.

“Even though we lost the game, I thought it was crucial that we fought the way we did in the fourth quarter,” Kerr said. “There were some positives in what was otherwise a decisive loss.”

It was not close from the start as Houston led 40-24 after one quarter and 76-49 at halftime. The Rockets shot 25 of 36 from the field, 9 of 15 from beyond the arc and 17 of 20 from the free-throw line.

The Warriors were step slow against the desperate Rockets, who had all five starters score in double figures.

When Draymond Green and the defense forced Dillon Brooks or Fred VanVleet to take a difficult 3-pointer of floater, the shots seemed to go in.

Steph Curry scored just 13 points in 23 minutes, and Jimmy Butler was just 2 of 10.

Butler appeared to struggle to get past his defender while nursing a bruised pelvis that had knocked him out of most of Game 2 and all of Game 3. Meanwhile, VanVleet scored 23 points and Amen Thompson had 21 points. 

Warriors coach Steve Kerr pulled his starters with six minutes left in the third quarter as his team trailed by 30, sending in deep reserves Spencer, Knox and others.

That’s when the bench sparked a spirited comeback that came up short.

This is not the first time Golden State has failed to show up while leading 3-1. In 2022, the Warriors had a chance to close out Memphis in Game 5 of the conference semifinals and lost 134-95. Golden State won the next game in the Bay Area.

In a tightly contested series against the Rockets, Wednesday’s game was the first real blowout.

The Warriors won Game 1 95-85, but suffered a loss in Game 2 on more than just the scoreboard. They lost Butler in the first quarter of the 109-94 defeat. 

Golden State rebounded back in the Bay, taking out the Rockets 104-93 in Game 3 without Butler and then surviving 109-106 in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead. 

The Warriors’ starters scored just eight points in the first quarter of Game 5, with Curry, Butler and Hield being held scoreless as they fell behind 40-24. 

The second quarter started even more abysmally, with the Warriors failing to score for the five straight minutes, including a stretch that featured turnovers on four straight possessions. 

The Rockets took advantage of those errors, jumping out to a 54-24 lead after noted Warriors antagonist Tari Eason made back-to-back shots. 

It wasn’t until the 6:02 mark that Curry scored his first points on a 3-point make. Butler was held scoreless until finishing a tough layup with 2:57 left in the half.

The Warriors cut the deficit to 20, but Brooks and VanVleet each made highly-difficult, fading 3-pointers over smothering defense to keep the Warriors at several arms’ length and ensured the Rockets would play at least one more game.

High School basketball: GBA Basketball All-Star game rosters

Rosters for the 16th Gil Basketball Academy High School All-Star Game

Thursday at Alisal High School, 6 p.m.

Girls

South Roster

Aileen Gonzalez-Pacheco, Alisal

Angelina Navarro, Gonzales

Evelyn Perea, Gonzales

Brooke Mullins, Rancho San Juan

Lesley Santiago, Greenfield

Mai Martin, Marina

Amity Hearne, King City

Jocelyn Romero, King City

Francesca Rossi, Palma

Amani Hobson, Alvarez

Savanna Rodriguez, Carmel

Coach: Angel Trujillo, King City

North Roster

Addie Payne, Pacific Collegiate

Ashley Torres, North County

Berkeley Ashby, Aptos

Ana Maurer, Soquel

Madison Barwick, Soquel

Fernanda Lazo, Watsonville

Brianna Leon, Watsonville

Hailey Brooks, Watsonville

Coach: Zachary Cook, Watsonville

Boys

South Roster

Kike Jacinto, Alisal

Misael Palafox-Silva, Alisal

Jesse Mendez, North Salinas

Kekoa Williams, Stevenson

Pablo Morales, Soledad

Anikan Tavarez, Soledad

Abner Galope, Rancho San Juan

Hudson Rutherford, Carmel

Simeon Brown, Carmel

Warren Blut, Carmel

Nayte Hernandez, Greenfield

Chris Morris, Greenfield

JJ Roth, Monterey

Jamar Aquino, Monterey

Coach: Nick Twitchell, Soledad

North Roster

Will Schilling, Scotts Valley

Jacob Sanders, Scotts Valley

Taylor Knox, Scotts Valley

AJ Gomez, North County

Kenji Mellin, North County

Nico Downing, Monte Vista

Anthony Felix, Oakwood

Mateo Juarez, Oakwood

Chandler Crutcher, Hollister

Devin Townsend, Hollister

Coach: Roger Jones, North County

SF Giants’ Fitzgerald loses both torpedo bats on back-to-back singles at Petco Park

SAN DIEGO — Tyler Fitzgerald brought two torpedo bats with him to San Diego. They both died noble deaths.

In the fifth inning of Tuesday’s 7-4 loss to the San Diego Padres, Patrick Bailey and Fitzgerald strung together back-to-back singles with Fitzgerald’s torpedo-shaped models — both of which shattered.

Fitzgerald’s inventory is down to zero for the time being, but he will receive a shipment from Louisville Slugger in several weeks. Bailey is ordering two of his own as well.

“It’s going to take a few weeks, but I have six more coming in. Going to be a while,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald was the first Giants player to utilize a torpedo bat, which is characterized by its abnormal shape. Torpedo bats are custom-made, sculpted based on where an individual player most frequently makes contact. Despite their odd appearance, the bats are completely allowable under MLB rules.

The torpedo bats became a point of debate when the New York Yankees hit 15 home runs in a season-opening three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, most coming from players who used torpedo bats. Those debates have largely quieted in recent weeks, especially with the Yankees returning to a normal home run pace.

“It’s a trendy thing right now. If the Yankees don’t put up 20 runs in that game, this isn’t even a discussion. Anything to give the hitter a little more of an advantage, I’m all for,” Fitzgerald said earlier this month.

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Last Friday, Fitzgerald’s first shipment of two bats finally arrived. He tried them out during batting practice, then liked them enough to use them in a game that same day.

He went 0-for-3 in his debut with the bats last Friday against the Texas Rangers, then was out of action on Saturday and Sunday due to a chest contusion. On Tuesday, Bailey and Fitzgerald produced the first shipment’s first two — and final two – hits.

Kamala Harris plans a speech sharply criticizing Donald Trump’s policies

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Vice President Kamala Harris plans to use a high-profile speech Wednesday to sharply criticize President Donald Trump amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for California governor.

Harris will address the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office that grew in part from Harris’ run for San Francisco district attorney in the early 2000s.

Her speech comes the day after Trump reached 100 days in office. It is expected to be her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January following her defeat to Trump, with planned critiques of the Republican president’s handling of the economy, U.S. institutions and foreign policy.

Harris is ramping up her public presence as Democrats nationally search for a path forward after November’s election, in which Republicans also won control of Congress. While a slate of high-profile Democrats — from governors to businessmen — seek leadership roles within the party, the former vice president retains unique influence and would reshape any future race she chooses to enter.

Harris, a former state attorney general and U.S. senator from California, has not discouraged speculation that she might enter the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, himself a potential contender for president. And she has not ruled out another run for the White House.

She continues to fundraise, using a joint committee that includes Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee and state Democratic parties. The committee, the Harris Victory Fund, reported having about $4.5 million on hand at the end of March, according to federal records.

In recent fundraising emails, Harris has been blunt about the need for Democrats to unify ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats need to “organize and stop Trump’s agenda while electing Democrats everywhere,” she wrote in recent emails. “There has never been a more important time for a strong Democratic Party — one that is willing to stand up to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and what they are doing to this country.”

The event will mark a homecoming of sorts. Harris, who lives in Los Angeles, is from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Emerge America’s gala begins at 7 p.m. PDT. Harris’ speech will be livestreamed on the AP’s YouTube channel.

How to watch Warriors-Rockets Game 5

The Golden State Warriors are one win away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2023. Up 3-1, the Dubs look to close out the first-round series against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center in Houston, Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. PT.

The Warriors won a dramatic, chippy Game 4 at home on Monday night as Jimmy Butler returned from injury and took over the offense late, and Draymond Green overcame foul trouble to make the game’s signature defensive play.

Now, they can wrap up the series with one more win.

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How to watch: 

TNT and truTV are carrying the broadcast; tune in with your cable or other provider. The game will also stream on Max. 

95.7 The Game will air the game on radio in the Bay Area.

Why Buddy Hield is an X-factor as Warriors try to close out Rockets

HOUSTON – Buddy Hield is adept at smiling at – and shrugging off – what he calls “all the fun and clowning (expletive)” that has followed him during his first season with the Warriors.

The ninth-year guard who has not missed a game in two seasons has garnered national attention for his dribbling gaffes and his lighthearted faux feud with teammate Jimmy Butler.

“That’s the part of the game I don’t take too seriously,” Hield told the Bay Area News Group.. 

The ongoing playoff series with the second-seeded Rockets is another matter. 

Hield, 32, is playing only his second postseason, but has looked right at home next to battle-tested teammates Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. 

He scored 17 points off the bench in a Game 3 victory, and then started for the first time since February and dropped 15 points in Monday’s 109-106 victory that gave Golden State a 3-1 series lead as Butler returned to the lineup. 

After making 203 3-pointers during the regular season, Hield said the Warriors’ coaching staff has given him a bright green light to fire away in the playoffs. His willingness to shoot has stretched the supersized Rockets lineups, keying 13-2 and 18-1 runs during the Game 4 victory alongside Butler and the rest of the starters. 

He has made eight 3-pointers over the last two games. Hield might not be Klay Thompson, but his shooting has still opened up the Warriors’ attack. 

“I think that unit gave us more speed, more shooting, and it forced some matchups for them to make the game a little more difficult,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. 

Hield was a plus-14 and plus-17 over the past two games, with his oft-maligned defense even drawing rare praise. 

Golden State Warriors’ Buddy Hield (7) celebrates after making a 3-point basket against the Houston Rockets in the third quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 28, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

He picked Houston guard and NorCal native Jalen Green’s pocket twice in the second quarter, and was even active on the boards with four rebounds.

The Oklahoma alum and proud Bahamian has made it a point to not show any sort of weakness after what he called “loud” turnovers or mistakes against a Rockets team that has spent the series trying to win the mental battle with the veteran Warriors.

“Once you show them you’re not rattled, they tend to back off you,” Hield said. 

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Hield has a chance to become part of something that has become a tradition for the modern-day Warriors. 

The Warriors are 23-11 in closeout games during the Curry-Kerr-Green era, and are 4-against the Rockets in such games during the teams’ previous four series from 2015 to 2019. 

Although Hield has not shot a free throw yet during the series, his 82.8% accuracy rate from the line could help provide even more of a difference between the teams.

Golden State is shooting 78.3% on 69 foul shots, while Houston is a ghastly 60-of-95 (63.2%) from the line. 

Houston missed 12 free throws in Game 4, and another nine in Game 1, both losses. 

If Hield does his part and helps end the Rockets postseason in five games, that will give him even more reason to smile at and shrug off the outside distractions that follow him. 

“The teammates know the value I bring to the court, and I’m just happy we got the win Saturday and today,” Hield said. “That’s what matters.”

Voters resoundingly backed paid sick leave. Now lawmakers in 3 states want to roll back the benefits

By DAVID A. LIEB, MARGERY A. BECK and BECKY BOHRER, Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Voters in Alaska, Missouri and Nebraska were asked last year whether they wanted to require employers to provide paid sick leave to their workers. They overwhelmingly said yes.

Now some lawmakers in each of those states are trying to roll back the benefits, citing concerns from businesses about costs.

The efforts mark the latest attempt by legislators to alter laws backed by the voters they represent. In February, for example, Michigan enacted revisions to a paid sick leave law initiated by voters seven years ago, delaying the date when small businesses must comply and allowing a longer period before new employees are eligible.

Though some voters are outraged, some lawmakers contend that citizen activists who crafted the initiatives overlooked the realities of running a business.

Restaurant owner Tim Hart, who employs about two dozen workers at his steakhouse in Hannibal, Missouri, said the paid sick leave requirement imposes a double financial hit because he must pay one person to stay home and another to fill the shift.

“When this goes into effect, we very likely won’t survive,” said Hart, who has urged the state Senate to halt the law.

The paid sick leave laws are set to kick in Thursday in Missouri, July 1 in Alaska and Oct. 1 in Nebraska.

McDonald’s restaurant worker Richard Eiker is among those who stand to benefit. He signed a petition putting the initiative on the Missouri ballot and traveled recently from Kansas City to the state Capitol to lobby lawmakers to let the law stand.

In 40 years on the job, Eiker has never received paid sick leave — not even when he was struggling with a kidney stone.

“I just took some pain medication and just went into work anyway and just worked past the pain,” Eiker said. “It would have been nice to have stayed home.”

Lower-wage workers are less likely to get paid sick leave

Federal law requires many employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for personal or family medical issues. But there is no federal mandate to pay for sick days.

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Nonetheless, 79% of private-sector employees received paid sick leave last year, according to the Department of Labor. Part-time workers were significantly less likely to receive the benefit than their full-time counterparts. And just 58% of employees in the bottom quarter of income earners received paid sick leave, compared with 94% in the top quartile.

Though still discretionary for many employers, the number of states mandating paid sick leave has grown significantly since Connecticut enacted the first such law in 2012. Last year’s ballot measures raised the total to 18 states and the District of Columbia. Three additional states require paid leave for any reason, without specifying sickness.

Many paid sick leave laws, including the ones in Alaska, Missouri and Nebraska, apply to any employer with at least one worker. But some states exempt the smallest businesses, with cutoffs ranging from five to 25 employees. The number of annual paid sick days also varies.

Missouri lawmaker wants it to be ‘less onerous’ for employers

On Tuesday the state Supreme Court upheld Missouri’s paid sick leave law against a challenge from business groups. But efforts to revise it continue.

In March, Republican House members passed legislation to repeal the paid sick leave requirement. That was then blocked by minority-party Democrats in the Senate. So Republicans are pushing an alternative that would delay the law until later this year, exempt smaller businesses and take away workers’ ability to sue over alleged violations.

The intent is to “just make it a little less onerous on employers,” said Republican state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, a small business owner who is backing the bill.

But many workers already have it tough, Democratic lawmakers said.

“When there’s people living paycheck to paycheck, just missing a little bit of work can really put them behind,” Democratic state Sen. Patty Lewis said.

Nebraska senator warns of ‘huge overstep’ by colleagues

Legislation pushed by Republican lawmakers in Nebraska state would carve out exceptions from paid sick leave for 14- and-15-year-old employees, temporary and seasonal agricultural workers and businesses with 10 or fewer employees.

The legislation also would strip workers of the ability to sue employers who retaliate against them for using paid sick leave.

Supporters of the revisions say they aim to protect small businesses from higher costs. Opponents say they are essentially gutting the law.

“We’re talking about just whole swaths of the ballot language being stricken by this,” state Sen. John Cavanaugh said during recent debate. “That is a huge overstep by this Legislature to say that we know better than the people who voted for this.”

Alaska labor leader foresees ‘long battle’ over voters’ wishes

A bill by state Rep. Justin Ruffridge would exempt seasonal workers and businesses with fewer than 50 employees from the sick leave requirement. That could exclude many catering to Alaska’s summer tourists.

Ruffridge, a member of the House’s Republican minority, said small business owners should be able to choose whether to spend money on sick leave benefits or other measures to grow their businesses.

Joelle Hall, president of the Alaska AFL-CIO, which supported the ballot measure, doubts Ruffridge’s bill will gain traction in the final weeks of this year’s session.

But, she said, “I believe this is the beginning of a long battle to protect the voters’ wishes from the wills and the whims of the businesspeople who don’t want to pay sick days.”

Beck reported from Lincoln, Nebraska, and Bohrer from Juneau, Alaska.

Horoscopes April 30, 2025: Kirsten Dunst, take charge and use intelligence

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Dianna Agron, 39; Kirsten Dunst, 43; Kunal Nayyar, 44; Johnny Galecki, 50.

Happy Birthday: Take charge, and use intelligence to navigate your way forward. Preparation, research and remaining calm will contribute to your success this year. Consider altering where or how you live and work if it will protect you from people and situations that are forceful or unpredictable. Refrain from letting anyone handle matters that reflect what you believe in or who you are. Small changes that lead to personal growth will soothe your soul. Your numbers are 4, 18, 21, 27, 30, 35, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Step into the spotlight and speak passionately about your concerns and what you want to do, and plead with those you feel can be of assistance. Keep the momentum flowing and your sights on your goal. Dedicate time to honing your skills, budgeting for your plans and letting others know how you feel. 4 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Reverse whatever stands in your way. A positive attitude and a well-thought-out plan will deter interference and help build confidence. Sticking to your schedule and flying under the radar will keep outside influences at bay, giving you full rein to complete whatever mission you pursue. Keep a low profile. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Precious “me time” will help you chill while putting things in perspective. Taking on the world’s weight will lead to nothing good. Choose to expand your mind and dedicate your time to something that makes you feel good about yourself and the direction you take. Put your energy toward personal prosperity. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Listen and observe, but avoid choices based on fear of failing to please others or gain acceptance. You are better off gathering information and watching from the sidelines if you don’t want to lose money, respect or reputation. Discipline is necessary; love and commitment to what’s best for you is your best option. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Raise the bar instead of lowering expectations. Set standards and examples, and do whatever it takes to reach your goal, and you will challenge yourself and others to grow. Travel to places that make you think or that physically challenge you, and you’ll gain insight into what’s possible. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Conflicts will arise over joint ventures or shared expenses. You must please yourself first; take responsibility for your happiness and lifestyle choices before turning your attention to helping others fulfill their dreams. A professional change or promotion requires your attention. You’ll miss an opportunity if you allow someone’s complaints or demands to interfere. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep an open mind, learn all you can and channel your energy into lifestyle changes that offer more contact with people who can help you grow and expand your interests. A partnership or working with someone trying to reach similar goals will enhance your life and your chance to excel. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Challenge yourself physically. A competitive attitude will help you build enthusiasm in others and complete what you set out to do. Let discipline be your weapon of choice, and your relentless determination will outshine anyone who tries to get in your way. A networking event will offer a platform to market yourself. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Gear up and be ready for positive change. An opportunity is apparent, but it’s up to you to dig in and make things happen. Invest time and money in self- and home improvements that contribute to a better lifestyle. Physical and intellectual gains will raise your profile and your options. Romance is favored. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A diversion will help point your mind in a positive direction. Designate time to pamper yourself or make home improvements that add to your contentment and convenience. Revisit your plans and commit to follow through with your intentions. Pursue something that gets you moving. Prioritize exercise, diet and a healthy lifestyle. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Set time aside for midweek socializing, a fitness extravaganza or family outings. A diversion will rejuvenate and help you gain perspective regarding domestic improvements and other possibilities that can make your life more fulfilling. An investment opportunity or lowering your overhead will help reduce stress. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take time to crunch the numbers and sort out hidden costs, a realistic budget and peace of mind. Refuse to let anyone you collaborate with regarding domestic changes or personal goals talk you into something you cannot afford or want. Prioritize personal gain, independence and taking care of yourself. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are sympathetic, generous and energetic. You are cooperative and witty.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.
2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.
3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.
4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.
5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

High School golf: Brandler leads Stevenson to its 14th straight Gabilan Division title

MONTEREY — It was more about preparation for a much bigger goal. Yet, that didn’t mean capturing a 14th consecutive league golf championship did not feel rewarding for Stevenson.

An early season funk is in the rear-view mirror, as the Pirates took advantage of playing at Laguna Seca — the site of next Tuesday’s Central Coast Section regionals after a 358-384 win Tuesday over Carmel in the Gabilan Division finals.

“I was a little worried earlier this season being so senior heavy, maybe some had checked out and were looking beyond high school golf,” Stevenson coach Justn Bates said. “We couldn’t put it all together as a team. I wasn’t sure where the season was headed.”

The Pirates now have their eyes set on a third straight Central Coast Section title after shooting 6-over par as a team, with Princeton bound Luke Brandler earning medalist honors at the league finals with a 6-under 75.

“It’s a huge advantage to have CCS here,” Brandler said. “We come out here a lot to practice. We’re super familiar with the course. Coach is adamant about us liking the course. A competitive tournament a week before CCS helps a lot.”

When you are posting a 26-stroke win, competition comes from within as all six competitors for the Pirates produced top 10 scores, with Brandler leading a sweep of the first three spots.

“I feel like everyone is playing sort of well,” Brandler said. “We had a slow start to the season. It feels like everyone’s game is getting into shape now. It’s good to have some success going into the postseason.”

Bates felt the turning point in the team’s season came earlier this month when Stevenson went down to Palm Springs and played in a 60-plus team tournament that featured some of the top programs from throughout the United States.

“Up until that point, we hadn’t put a good tournament together,” Bates said. “Our goal was to be in the Top 10. We finished third. It all clicked. It was three days of golf with no distractions. It was collective effort. This group has not checked out.”

Brandler, who broke the Laguna Seca Golf Course record during last year’s CCS golf finals with a 9-under 62, finished five strokes ahead of teammate Johshveer Chadha, with Steven Lai placing third.

“I was swinging it well on the range,” Brandler said. “It wasn’t too windy, so I felt I could shoot a low score. Today was about gearing up for CCS, trying to get a feel for the course, a feel for my swing and the game.”

As well as the reigning CCS champion played throughout the 18 hole event, there were a handful of shots Brandler said he would like to have had back.

“I left a few shots out there,” said Brandler, a four-time all-leaguer for Stevenson. “But I’d rather leave them out there now and get them at CCS.”

Chadha has seen his game evolve in the last month as the senior finished 13 spots higher than at last year’s league finals, carding a 1-under 70.

“I started off hot by birding the first hole,” Chadha said. “I kept it steady. I was two under though my first nine holes. My putter was on fire today. My putter was working well. I was making all my putts inside of eight feet.”

Chadha, who played as the Pirates No. 5 or No. 6 golfer most of last year, sank three birdies with a pair of 20-foot putts on the 13th and 3rd hole, and a 25-foot birdie on 9th hole.

“I felt as I climbed the ladder if you will, there was a little more pressure,” Chadha said. “My score does matter a lot. I need to keep it steady. If there is a bad hole, I need to bounce back. There was a lot of mental toughness more than anything.”

Zachary Hawkins finished sixth overall for the Pirates with a 74, with Marc Sasetia placing 10th with a 77. Calvin Etcheverry also shot a 77, but only five can count towards the team score.

Carmel is headed to the CCS Regionals as a team after its second place finish, with Jonathan Chen and Julien Cho both carding a 73. Chen, a three-time all-leaguer, went to the state championships as a sophomore in 2023.

“My driver was working pretty well,” Chen said. “My wedge was pretty good. My irons were consistent. I came in wanting to find confidence in my driver. When my driver is off, I have to play recovery shots. I found confidence in my driver which is pretty nice.”

Joining Chen and Cho at the CCS Regionals for the Padres will include Carson Varney, Cullen Pritchard and Colin Dean.

Salinas’ John Georgariou and Alex Jarvis both qualified as individuals, along with Monterey’s Nicholas Cardinalli, Palma’s Dominic Pellergrino and Jacob Diaz.

Cardinalli was medalist in the Mission Division for Monterey, who finished third as a team behind champion Monte Vista and runner-up Pacific Grove.

SF Giants fall to Padres in first battle vs. NL West opponent this season

SAN DIEGO — There is no division in baseball that can hold a candle to the NL West. Four teams possess playoff aspirations, if not World Series ambitions. The Rockies also happen to exist.

The Giants, more than a month into the season, got their first chance to dance with a division foe on Tuesday night. The opponent was the Padres. The stage was Petco Park on Tony Gwynn bobblehead night. The announced attendance was 47,345, the second-largest in ballpark history.

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San Francisco, a team that excels at playing behind the eight ball, fell into a hole early en route to a 7-4 loss. San Diego, which showcased its best arms, affirmed why its October itinerary accounts for playoff baseball. The Giants lost the first of what will be 39 total rounds against the Padres, Dodgers and Diamondbacks. They welcome the kerfuffles and scraps and spars that lie ahead.

“We know it’s going to be a challenge,” said shortstop Willy Adames. “This whole division, I feel, is the best division in baseball. There’s a lot of talent on this side. Obviously, every time we face the Padres or the D-backs or the Dodgers … it’s going to be fight. It’s going to be a battle. We have to play better baseball. We have to be better than than them. That’s what we’re going to try to do tomorrow.”

For San Francisco, playing better baseball — especially against a team of San Diego’s caliber — entails avoiding early deficits.

Before the capacity crowd got comfortable, Logan Webb allowed a trifecta of runs in the first and put the Giants in a 3-0 deficit, setting the stage for an evening where he allowed a season-high five earned runs over five innings. But as would be the case all night, misfortune would be at play.

Webb recorded two quick outs but allowed a sharp single to Manny Machado then walked Gavin Sheets. Of the walk, Webb said it “ruined the inning from there on out.”

Following the free pass, Xander Bogaerts snuck a single through the middle on a well-placed inside sinker to drive in Machado. Jose Iglesias added on by lunged at an outside sweeper, lifted it to right field to drive in two runs of his own.

The dinks and doinks became a theme. Webb allowed two more soft hits in the second: a broken-bat single to Elias Díaz at 71.6 mph, and a bloop single to Luis Arraez that fell in front of Mike Yastrzemski. The fourth inning brought even more soft contact that found grass — and generated runs.

Jason Heyward led off with a 76.5 mph, one that dropped in front of left fielder Heliot Ramos and rolled past him when he was unable to stop the ball. Díaz followed Heyward by poking another softly-hit ball through the infield clocking in at 72.0 mph. Those back-to-back hits by Heyward and Díaz set the stage for a sacrifice fly by Arraez and an RBI single from Machado, putting five runs on Webb’s docket and an early end to his night. Webb allowed a season-high nine hits, but four registered at under 80 mph.

“Baseball happens,” Webb said. “I didn’t expect tonight to go the way it did. It’s crazy. You look back at games and there’s a lot of stuff you look back at and you’re like, ‘Man, I wish I didn’t throw that.’ Honestly, tonight, I don’t think there’s many pitches I would take back. Kind of just the way the ball fell.”

Added Adames: “They got lucky today against Webby. He was very unlucky. Got a lot of bloopers their way. Those days are going to happen. We’re going to continue to battle until the end. We’re going to come tomorrow and try to get that win and even the series up and go back home and try to sweep the Rockies — or win the series, at least.”

The Giants, indeed, continued to battle. Adames put the Giants on the board with a solo homer in the fourth, his second home run of the season. Two innings later, Adames kickstarted a three-run sixth inning with a leadoff double. Adames scored on Jung Hoo Lee’s single, and the struggling LaMonte Wade Jr. contributed a much-needed two-run double that shrunk the Padres’ lead to 5-4.

That’s as far as their comeback efforts would go. Randy Rodríguez allowed his first two runs of the year in the seventh as Bogaerts lined a two-run shot over the left-field lead, and that three-run lead was more than enough for San Diego’s elite bullpen.

The Giants are left with 38 more opportunities to spar with this division’s playoff hopefuls, their next opportunity being Wednesday afternoon to conclude a brief two-games. The Padres landed the first blow; the following hours will reveal if the Giants have a counter.

“People are starting to see our identity,” Adames said. “We’re not going to back up from anybody. We’re going to continue to battle. … We’re going to come everywhere and fight. Like I said in spring training, we’re in a better position than people think we are. I’m saying it again today because I know the talent we have here. I know the confidence we have here. We’re going to continue to try to be better every day and continue to win games.”