Soledad-Carmel baseball

 For all the struggles the Padres have endured in non-league play, they've started 7-1 in the Mission Trail Athletic League to occupy a half-game lead.
 Lurking in their shadows is Soledad, who they will host Tuesday in the first of two games this week between the rivals.
 The momentum Carmel generated in opening MTAL play 6-0 was soften a bit, having gone 1-4 in its last five games overall.
 It has, however, won nine straight league games at home, with the last setback coming on March 31 of 2017 to Soledad.
 Having dropped a 1-0 game to Alisal and a 2-1 decision to Monterey during its spring break, Soledad erupted for 16 runs in a win over North Salinas in its last game.
 Sophomore Ben Pajas has sprayed the ball all over the field for the 6-1 Aztecs while Isaac Lopez and Chris Villarreal are catalyst in the order.
 The Padres offense starts with Christian Stapleton, who has hit 12 homers in the last two years, while Kevin Cook and freshman J.T. Byrne have begun to heat up.
 Carmel has been a different team when Dylan Houpt is on the mound, as the senior hurler has won five games this year.
 Andru Holquin has won three games this spring for Soledad. But he threw last Thursday, meaning it could be a committee approach at Carmel.