Sports briefs: Novato Knicks aiming at another league title
The Novato Knicks are taking aim at consecutive Norm Thompson Pacific Baseball League titles this weekend.
The Knicks will open up the playoffs with a game against TKB Monterey at noon on Saturday at Allan Witt Park in Fairfield. The winner of that contest moves into a second game at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The league championship is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Pacifics win Game 1
The San Rafael Pacifics rode a seven-run first inning to a 13-2 victory against Lancaster in the first game of the Pecos League Pacific semifinals on Monday at Albert Park.
The top of the order did the bulk of the damage for San Rafael (40-8), with Kyle Guerra, Kevin Johnson, Blake Diggle, and Nick Smith combining for five hits, six walks, 11 RBIs, and six runs scored. Guerra, Johnson and Smith drove in three runs apiece.
Pacifics ace Alex Valasek started on the mound, throwing 127 pitches over eight innings of work. Valasek allowed eight hits and three runs — two earned — while striking out seven.
San Rafael and Lancaster played Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Tuesday at Albert Park. The score of that game was not available at press time. Game 3 is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Albert Park, if necessary.
Volleyball
Former San Rafael High standout Mary Healy was credited with five attack points as Canada opened play at the U19 World Championships in Hungary against Brazil on Tuesday.
Brazil won in straight sets to take the victory in the Pool C opener for both teams. Thailand and Italy were also winners in Pool C, defeating Peru and Bulgaria, respectively.
Canada faces Italy on Wednesday and Bulgaria on Thursday before closing pool play against Peru on Saturday and Thailand on Sunday.