
SAMOHI — Apparently a 21-4 record gets teams noticed.
Despite not being ranked by the CIF-Southern Section, the Santa Monica baseball team is on the Los Angeles Times' radar.
After entering the newspaper's influential top 25 at No. 25 last week, the Vikings have moved up to No. 23, a first in school history.
Samohi has used a plethora of pitchers led by Cal Poly-bound Alex Gironda to guide them to a 6-0 Ocean League record and a hold on repeating as league champs.
Samohi continues their charge through the Ocean League Tuesday at bitter rival Beverly Hills, a team that enters the contest at 10-9 overall and 2-3 in league.
The game begins at 6 p.m. at La Cienega Park. The teams play again Thursday at Samohi.
Not to look ahead too much, but the real challenge comes next week with a pair of games against Culver City to end the regular season.
Culver City sits at 15-7 overall and more importantly 5-1 in league play.
Last year's league title came down to the final week of the season as Samohi swept Culver City to win the crown.
Samohi softball still streaking
For yet another year, Samohi's softball team is dominating the Ocean League.
The Vikings have now won 106 straight league games, an impressive streak that stretches back nearly a decade.
Samohi will go for No. 107 today at Memorial Park against Beverly Hills.
Samohi is coming off an appearance in last year's CIF-SS Division 4 title game.
daniela@www.smdp.com