Palma-Monterey baseball

 While San Benito has already opened up a two-game lead two weeks into the Gabilan Division season, four teams sit within a game of each other for second.
 Two of them square off today when the Toreadores host a resurgent Palma squad, who has already equaled last year's entire win total.
 Don't be mislead by Monterey's 4-3 overall mark. It has three losses to teams that are a combined 20-2 -- with Valley Christian being ranked No. 4 in the state.
 The Toreadores pitching staff has not allowed a run in their last 16 innings of work, having given up just three earned run in four league games.
 Gavin Jarvis and Nick Russo have pitched back-to-back gems, with relief help from Carter Aldrete. Russo has also been hot at the plate of late.
 Palma has played with a chip on its shoulder all year, with Nico DeSantis and Matt Smith leading the team in hits. Cameron Crone was solid in his first league start, tossing a shutout against Gilroy.