Today’s edition is sponsored by Park46 Real Estate.
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Welcome to the Playbook!
It is time for another week of the 2025-26 prep sports year! The Playbook takes you inside the East Bay Athletic League, writing about outlooks, updates and insights into all the sports, along with profiles of athletes, and opinions regarding controversial issues in high school sport.
The Big Picture lets you know about a historic moment for the Emerald High baseball program, then dives into the EBAL softball and volleyball leagues as they are getting into their league seasons.
EBAL Power Rankings are full of movement this week as is usually what happens when league seasons get underway. Always a thrill ride at this point in the season.
What to Watch gives you the most interesting baseball, softball and volleyball games this week. The Fast Five is all about Livermore softball player Laine Macosky. Her favorite quote says a lot about a person’s approach to sports.
If you know of a great story or have any questions, please reach out either by email at acesgolf@aol.com or by phone at 925-200-0719.
From the sidelines,
Dennis Miller, Playbook Editor
Prado hits first home run in Emerald baseball history
No matter what happens in the rest of Aadyn Prado’s life, there is one thing no one can ever take away.
Power Rankings as of March 24.
EBAL BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL
1. Dublin (10-1, 3-0): The Gaels’ only loss came to College Park in tournament play. They swept Amador Valley and California last week. Big matches at Livermore and then against De La Salle this week.
2. De La Salle (11-7, 4-0): The Spartans got back at Livermore with a 3-2 win a week after falling to the Cowboys in tournament play.
3. Livermore (16-4, 2-2): The Cowboys fell 3-2 to De La Salle, then swept Dougherty Valley 3-0 last week. Big match against Dublin on Tuesday night.
4. Foothill (8-5, 3-1): The Falcons get into the top five with a 3-2 win against Granada, avenging an earlier loss. They also swept Monte Vista.
5. San Ramon Valley (8-6, 3-0): The Wolves beat California and Granada last week and fell 3-1 to Valley Christian-San Jose 2-1 in a non-league match.
Others: Granada (11-5, 2-3), Amador Valley (10-8, 1-3), California (5-6, 1-3), Monte Vista (8-4, 1-3), Dougherty Valley (7-8, 0-5), Foothill (6-5, 1-1).
EBAL BASEBALL
1. De La Salle (3-3): Beat Acalanes 5-2, then Dublin in a non-league game 5-0 to be perfect for the week.
2. California (6-1-1): The Grizzlies fell 8-5 to Freedom for their first loss of the season but came back with wins over Las Lomas (4-2) and Irvington (19-2).
3. Dublin (6-2): The Gaels beat Heritage 6-2 before they fell 5-0 to De La Salle in a non-league game.
4. San Ramon Valley (5-1): The Wolves took out Vacaville (7-6) then Mt. Eden by an 18-0 final for the clean week.
5. Monte Vista (4-3): The Mustangs got a big 5-4, 11-inning win over Clayton but then came back and dropped a 1-0 final to College Park.
Others: Amador Valley 4-3, Foothill 4-4, Granada 3-4, Livermore 3-4, Dougherty Valley 1-4.
EBAL SOFTBALL
1. Carondelet (6-1, 2-0): Pretty impressive offensive week as the Cougars went 2-0, outscoring their opponents 40-6 in their two wins. They take over the top spot.
2. San Ramon Valley (5-3, 2-1): The Wolves jump into the top five at the No. 2 spot after beating Dougherty Valley 20-0, then taking out former No. 1 Cal by a 7-3 final.
3. Livermore (6-1, 1-0): The Cowboys delivered a statement game right out of the pack, blasting Foothill 11-1, then came back with a 1-0, non-league win over Newark.
4. California (4-2, 1-1): The Grizzlies got by Monte Vista 6-2, then fell to SRV in the second game of league by a 7-3 final.
5. Granada (5-2, 2-0): The Mats open the EBAL season beating Dublin 18-5, then Foothill 9-2.
Others: Foothill (6-4, 0-2), Amador Valley (4-3-1, 1-0), Dublin (4-5, 0-2), San Ramon Valley (3-3), Monte Vista (1-6, 0-1), Dougherty Valley (0-5, 0-2).
Today (March 24)
EBAL Softball: Livermore at Amador Valley, Granada at San Ramon Valley, both 4 p.m.
EBAL Boys’ Volleyball: Dublin at Livermore, 5:30 p.m.; Granada at Amador Valley, De La Salle at Foothill, 6:30 p.m.
Tomorrow (March 25)
EBAL Baseball: Foothill at California, Livermore at De La Salle, Amador Valley at Monte Vista, Dublin at San Ramon Valley, all 4 p.m.
Thursday (March 26)
EBAL Softball: Amador Valley at Granada, Carondelet at San Ramon Valley, 4 p.m.
EBAL Boys’ Volleyball: De La Salle at Dublin, Monte Vista at San Ramon Valley, both 5:30 p.m.; Amador Valley at Foothill, Granada at Livermore, both 6:30 p.m.
Friday (March 27)
EBAL Baseball: California at San Ramon Valley, De La Salle at Dougherty Valley, Granada at Monte Vista, all 4 p.m.
A refreshingly honest approach to Tri-Valley Real Estate
Park46 Real Estate is proudly rooted in our community and fiercely committed to results. As a boutique brokerage, we blend local insight, strategic marketing, and sharp negotiation to elevate every buying and selling experience. Real relationships. Real expertise. Real results. Visit Park46.com.
Pleasanton Preps: Undefeated CCOP basketball team captures league title
This victory marks the first time in over a decade that a CCOP girls’ team has secured a league championship.
Livermore Fusion Soccer Club under new executive leadership
Livermore Fusion Soccer Club has a new leader at the top, with Duane Cummings hired as executive director earlier this winter.
We interview high school athletes and coaches all the time. Occasionally we ask them questions that have nothing to do with sports. Here’s one:
Name: Laine Macosky
School and grade: Livermore (Livermore, senior)
Sport: Softball
Favorite streaming channel and favorite show: Netflix / “Teen Wolf”
Favorite genre music and favorite performer: Pop / Sabrina Carpenter
Favorite fast-food restaurant and meal: Chick-fil-A / Chicken sandwich and mac-n-cheese.
Favorite quote: “Work hard in silence, let success be your noise.” (Frank Ocean, American singer)
Do you have someone you want us to interview? Email us.
Dennis Miller is a veteran sports writer and editor, covering sports in the Tri-Valley for over 35 years. In addition to being the editor of Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, he has written a weekly column for Pleasanton Weekly and PleasantonWeekly.com, “Pleasanton Preps,” since 2011. Email him at sports@pleasantonweekly.com.
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