So I made the long trek from my apartment in Walnut Creek to Alameda (it’s definitely not the nicest ride in terms of traffic) for today’s Alameda-Berkeley softball game and man, I’m glad I did. It was a nine-inning thriller and the host Hornets came out on top, beating Berkeley 1-0 on an RBI single by Lacey Parodi.

A few things that won’t make it into tomorrow’s story because of space. Alameda’s Jill Yastishak and Berkeley’s Sarah Neuhaus were absolutely stellar in the circle all day long. Yastishak showed tremendous courage pitching through a nagging elbow injury that had her reaching for the ice bag between innings. Neuhaus was equally impressive, only allowing two hits over nine innings.

I guess what struck me most was the overall high level of play that was on display. There were only two errors in the entire game and both teams made play after play to keep things scoreless for eight innings. Even the game-winning play was well executed. The throw beat Alameda runner Megan Averitt but got away from Berkeley catcher Katie Wishnoff just enough so that Averitt could reach back and touch home.

So, I say bravo to both Alameda and Berkeley for playing the best softball game I’ve seen in person yet this year. And guess what? We could see it again down the road because, if both teams win out, they would have to play a one-game playoff on May 17 to determine the Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League champion.

The North Coast Section Board of Managers approved a proposal Friday that will alter the format of the NCS football playoffs. The new playoff system will get rid of the separate tournaments for the East Bay and Redwood Empire schools. It will also eliminate the familiar 4A, 3A and 2A classifications and assume a format of five enrollment-based divisions that are similar to those used in basketball.

Here’s a look at the five proposed divisions.

It was only a matter of time before the Campolindo softball team got it together and pulled an upset and today was the day as the Cougars knocked off College Park 5-3 for a DFAL upset today. Lindsey Quock picked up the win as the starting pitcher for Campo and Jordan Blumberg-Long got a save. Sophie McCarthy hit another home run for Campo (she could possibly be leading the universe in home runs) and went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Taylor Gatti went 2-for-4 and scored two runs and Rose Fruci added a 2-for-4 day with a run scored.

Over in the BVAL, Antioch finished a tough week with a 6-2 loss to Carondelet. That’s a big win for the Cougars, who have been looking for some momentum all year. Bailey Rose got the win for Carondelet and Tylyn Wells went 2-for-4.

Over in the EBAL, there were no big surprises. Foothill beat California 10-4 to maintain its lead in the standings. There’s something in the Pleasanton water because the Falcons are absolutely mashing the ball right now. Katelyn LaRussa hit two home runs to lead Foothill.

This won’t make tomorrow’s paper because it’s been a busy day around here but the California Interscholastic Federation announced today that the CIF State Football Bowl Series will stay in Carson at the Home Depot Center for 2008 and 2009.

The 2008 season will be the debut of the five-division series after the CIF used three divisions for 2006 and 2007. The email that the CIF sent out said that the divisions have yet to be finalized (they should be determined in mid-May according to the email) but that it has been recommended that there be one “open” division that pits the top team from Northern California against the top team from Southern California.

Speaking from my one-year experience at the Home Depot Center, I’m glad they came to an agreement to stay there. It’s a nice venue and I think it’s just about the right size for an event like this. There was a good crowd for the De La Salle-Centennial game and I think they’ll continue to draw well.

Here are this week’s photos, as captured and presented by our awesome photo and multimedia staff. Lots of baseball, softball and track and field for you to enjoy this week.

Photos of the week

There seems to be no stopping College Park softball pitcher Stephani Fairclough these days. On Tuesday she threw all 18 innings of a 4-3 College Park win over Las Lomas. Keep in mind she struck out 24 on Tuesday. Today, she had perhaps an even more impressive performance, striking out 14 in throwing a no-hitter against Acalanes. College Park won the game 3-0.

For those of you scoring at home, Fairclough struck out 38 batters in two games this week. For those wondering, it’s not close to a record but you’d have to go a long way to get to that record. Fairfield’s Alicia Hollowell, in a 30-inning game against Woodland in 2001, struck out 61 to set the record.

That was my reaction when I called College Park softball coach Reno LaSala tonight only to find out that his Falcons had just come off the field after a wild 4-3 win over Las Lomas. Yes, they went 18 innings and it’s a good thing the game was at College Park so the teams could play under the lights. Highlight of the night: College Park pitcher Stephani Fairclough struck out 24 batters.

This week’s photos are assembled in a neat and tidy presentation, so I suggest you check it out.

Photos of the week

I couldn’t miss an opportunity to talk wrestling, could I? Las Lomas wrestler Jason Welch closed his high school career with a win this weekend, defeating Hinton, IA’s Marcus Edgington 24-9 (technical fall) at the Wrestling USA Magazine Dream Team meet in Iowa.

Next stop for Welch? Northwestern University.

Suffering from March Madness withdrawals? … Me too. But there is still basketball (besides the NBA…Go Warriors) being played.

Today five local boys high school players will play in the 1 Dream All-Star Classic at 3:30 p.m. at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The game pits 12 Southern California seniors against 12 Northern California seniors.

St. Mary’s Will Brew, Newark Memorial’s Chris Jones, McClymond’s Frank Otis, Antioch’s Tim Williams and Salesian’s Justin Brown were all scheduled to compete for the 12-player NorCal squad coached by St. Mary’s Manny Nodar.

Check out the web site http://www.1dreamfoundation.com/home.html or stay tuned here for updates.