Alhambra High School looks to continue the stranglehold it has held on the rest of the Almont League baseball programs of late when it opens league play at Bell Gardens Friday.

The Moors, winners of the last five league titles, don’t appear to be ready any time soon to give up control of the top spot.

They’ve built a little momentum going in by posting a 6-1 record that includes a doubleheader sweep of Kalani, Hawaii Tuesday.

The 11-3 and 12-2 victories over the visitors, who also have games scheduled with Monrovia, Beverly Hills and Desert Oasis of Las Vegas this week before heading back to the islands, featured improved offensive production and the usual solid pitching.

Jonathan Beltran went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and pitched two innings of shutout and hitless ball, and Frankie Wright had a double and two RBIs in the first game that saw th Moors score eight runs in the last of the fifth.

In the second game, Greg Saldate struck out four in four shutout innings and had a single and double.

“I liked how we swung the bats in the second game,” Alhambra coach Steve Gewecke said. “(Shortstop Vai) Peko is starting to hit. Beltran is ready to go Friday at Bell Gardens. Saldate pitched better today than he did last Tuesday. I think we’re ready for league.”

In Beltran, who was 8-4 with a 1.44 ERA last year, and Saldate, who was 8-3 with a 2.51, the Moors have an outstanding one-two starting punch on the mound. Sophomore lefty Gary Acuna gives them depth out of the bullpen.

Montebello (4-1) and Bell Gardens (4-0) appear to be Alhambra’s main challengers.

Montebello reached the final of its own tournament Friday before losing, 6-5 to El Rancho.

Senior first baseman Michael Maldonado is hitting .556, junior shortstop Alex Guerrero is at .455 and junior outfielder Anthony Millian is batting .333 with seven RBIs to lead the Oilers offensively. Millian, who is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA, and Guerrero, 1-0 with a 1.17, head the pitching staff for Montebello.

Bell Gardens, a 10-6 winner over Bosco Tech Tuesday, has a veteran crew led by senior catcher Luis Saballos (.636, four RBIs), senior third baseman Joshua Flores (.625, seven RBIs), senior pitcher Gilbert Ortega and senior outfielder Dennis Orozco (.429). Junior pitcher Fernando Colenares has a 1.40 ERA.

Schurr (0-5) is off to a tough start, but the Spartans have some key returnees who could help get things turned around.

Senior third baseman Robert Scothorn is the top hitter at .429 and senior center fielder Carlos Arredondo is hitting .357. Senior third baseman/pitcher Christian Madrid is hitting .294.

Madrid, the top pitcher, has a 1.50 ERA in 9.1 innings, but the staff as a whole has an ERA of 8.81. Sophomore Oscar Sarabia should be a help as the season wears on.

“Montebello looks good and always gives us a battle and Bell Gardens has a bunch of guys back,” Gewecke said of the teams he expects to press the Moors for the top spot.

Keppel (0-2) has 11-0 and 15-5 losses to Gladstone, indicating it will need to shore up the pitching staff.

Mound candidates include freshman Ruben Mendia, as well as seniors Evan Bachmann, Nick Leonard and Andrew Dominguez.

Senior outfielder Christian Salazar and junior outfielder/catcher Miguel Gonzalez are each hitting .500 in the early going for the Aztecs. Senior second baseman Andrew Fraire has a home run and two RBIs.

San Gabriel is 0-4.

Friday openers, 3:15 p.m.
Alhambra at Bell Gardens, Schurr at Keppel, San Gabriel at Montebello