Preps of the week: Marin Catholic’s Schmidt comes up big at Oracle Park
Baseball players for Marin Catholic and San Rafael found themselves on the big stage this past week, playing at Oracle Park in San Francisco — the home of the Giants.
MC shortstop Carl Schmidt, who already had a big game earlier in the week, hit a game-winning triple in the top of the seventh to lead the Wildcats to a come-from-behind victory.
Elsewhere, the top three softball teams all had successful weeks and Archie Williams cemented itself as the team to beat in boys volleyball.
Carl Schmidt, Marin Catholic baseball
MC’s third-place hitter had himself a week, capping it off by hitting a go-ahead, two-run triple in the top of the seven inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco to lift the Wildcats to a 5-2 victory against San Rafael Saturday. Schmidt also played a big role in MC’s win over the Bulldogs earlier in the week, picking up two hits — including a home run — and two walks while driving in a run and scoring twice. On the mound, Schmidt pitched five innings of one-hit ball and struck out six to earn the win.
Kelsey McNair, San Rafael softball
The sophomore had a huge week, hitting a pair of home runs and driving in 10 runs over the course of four games. The Bulldogs went 3-1, rolling to big wins against Novato and San Marin early in the week. San Rafael left the tying run at the plate to end a 5-1 loss to Marin Catholic, then bounced back with a wild 12-9 victory against El Cerrito. McNair had a triple and a grand slam against Novato and hit one of San Rafael’s four homers against El Cerrito.
Lindsay Harrison, Marin Catholic softball
Harrison had three hits in an early week win against Terra Linda but saved her best for a showdown against San Rafael on Thursday. MC took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning then loaded the bases for Harrison in the sixth. Harrison hit a triple to left field to extend the lead to 4-0, giving MC a season sweep. The two teams could meet again in the MCAL semifinals.
Owen Johnson, Archie Williams boys volleyball
The setter dished out 40 assists as the Peregrine Falcons maintained their perfect start in the MCAL with a five-set home win against Tam on Tuesday. Archie Williams won the first two sets before Tam responded by taking the next two. Archie Williams is the only team to defeat Tam so far this season.
Georgia Pineda, Redwood softball
Pineda proved to be the difference as the top two teams in the county — Redwood and MC — battled it out for the first time this season last Monday. Pineda drove in a run with a double in the fifth inning to tie the game at 1-1 then knocked in the winner with a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the 10th as Redwood won 2-1. Pineda also saved a run by making a catch in deep left field in the sixth inning. Pineda spelled ace Sadie Leonard in the circle against Archie Williams on Wednesday, striking out 10 hitters to help Redwood pick up a 9-0 victory.