One of the best films to come out of Hollywood in the ’90s was “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” a stylish thriller adapted from the 1955 novel by Patricia Highsmith.

The Napa High baseball team seemed to have learned how to close out a win on Tuesday when it halted Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills’ late-inning comeback to pull out a one-run victory.

Vintage High School got its first win of the Monticello Empire League girls soccer season Thursday as Brianna Vega and Daniela Alfaro delivered goals for the Crushers at the Raiders field.

The Napa High School track and field team traveled to Vacaville Wednesday and opened the 2009 Monticello Empire League schedule against Will C. Wood.

Max Alvarez and Zack Risley were co-medalists with 39s in Thursday’s Monticello Empire League dual meet at Paradise Valley.

In a Marin County Athletic League match played at Napa Valley College Thursday, the Braves (2-2 MCAL) got singles wins from Alex Fallon, 6-2, 6-2; Andrew Kelley, 6-2, 6-0; Justyn Thomas, 6-0, 6-0; Matt Andre, 6-1, 6-0; and Justin Kaung, 6-2, 6-2.

Ryon Dudley took the loss in Thursday’s game for Napa Valley (10-10 overall, 4-3 Bay Valley Conference) after allowing 10 hits and eight runs (all earned) while striking out three and walking one.

Quin Stanier pitched a complete game six-hitter, allowing two runs (one earned) while walking one and striking out 10 batters. Stanier threw 101 pitches, 67 of which were strikes.

Vintage was swept by Vacaville in Wednesday’s Monticello Empire League dual meet, but recorded several quality marks and high finishes along the way.

Napa had an off day in every category, but came to life offensively to pull out a victory in one of the two games it played in the Victory Preseason Tournament in Sacramento.

Josh Cariela pitched a six-inning complete game for the Crushers in Tuesday’s MEL-opening road loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, eight strikeouts and one walk.

The Indians opened MEL action Tuesday night with a shutout at Armijo.

Alex Nelson went 3-for-3 and had seven RBIs to lead Trinity Prep in its season opener Thursday at Alan Witt Park in Fairfield. Nelson had a two-run single, three-run triple and two-run double.

The first game was called after six innings due to the mercy rule. Jenn Shubin pitched a no-hitter, striking out 10, and also going 3-for-4 with a double.

Marissa Reyes’ two goals and assist led the Indians (6-0-2 overall, 1-0-1 Monticello Empire League) in Thursday’s game.

Austin Barlow pitched a three-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks, improving to 3-0 with all complete games.

The Braves (1-3 overall, 1-1 Marin County Athletic League) scored a run in the first and fifth innings, as they got quality pitching and defense to go with timely hitting.

Scott Jansen was 1-for-2 and Jack Schulman was 1-for-1 and scored a run for Justin-Siena (1-2 overall, 1-1 Marin County Athletic League) in Thursday’s game.

The St. Apollinaris eighth-grade girls basketball team won the championship of its own St. A’s March Madness Tournament.

The 43rd annual Dan Clark Eighth Grade Tournament, sponsored by the Justin-Siena High School Sports Boosters Club and the Pepsi Bottling Group, opened Wednesday on the Justin-Siena campus.

In the Napa Valley, the wild turkey’s abundance is held in quite different levels of regard by different segments of our human population.

NOTES AND QUOTES for a Friday in the Napa Valley:

Race fans can rub shoulders with the most recent winner on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit at the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 19-21, at Infineon Raceway.

Anyone familiar with auto racing knows that in order to win races, you have to have a lot of horsepower.

Nate Silverman and his brother and were out at the Sea Ranch on a recent outing when he hooked this 68-inch sturgeon following a 30-minute battle. Its estimated weight was between 55 and 60 pounds.  The trip was Silverman’s first time fishing for sturgeon.

March 14