King City-Gonzales baseball

 As for early season showdowns, this is significant for both teams in their quest for a postseason spot -- and dare I say a league title.
 Being in a playoff chase is uncharted waters for the Spartans, who at 5-2, sit just one game behind Carmel in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
 Prior to last season, Gonzales hadn't won five or more games in league in 18 years. And it already has a win over King City -- on the road no less, snapping a 27-game losing streak to their rivals.
 Which makes today's game equally important for the Mustangs. Being swept by a team could come back and haunt you in the MTAL, where seven teams appear to be in postseason contention.
 Last spring four teams from the MTAL reached the playoffs.
 King City will likely throw Brian Lopez, who shutout Pacific Grove last Friday. Jose Arreola and Jeoyani Santoyo have stung the ball at the plate this spring.
 Xando Mendez has been consistent all season at the plate and on the bump for Gonzales. But the ball will likely go to Gonzalo Villagomez today.