Preps of the week: Redwood becomes first Marin baseball team to make NorCal final
Prior to this season, only one Marin softball team and one Marin baseball team had qualified for the NorCal playoffs, which began in 2022. This season, four such teams qualified with Redwood High making history by becoming the first local team to make a NorCal baseball final.
The Giants’ title hopes were ultimately denied by Cardinal Newman in Saturday’s final but Redwood enjoyed one of its best campaign in many years with 28 wins on the season.
Rex Solle and Chas Veley, Redwood baseball
The Giants went 2-1 in the NorCal D-II playoffs this past week with a big pitching performance from Veley in the quarterfinals and a big hitting day from Solle in the semifinals. Veley pitched a complete game in a 2-1 victory against Carmel on Tuesday, limiting the Padres to three hits and one earned run while striking out nine hitters. Solle had a 4-for-4 day in the semifinals — a 6-5 victory against St. Ignatius on Thursday. Solle had three RBIs, scored a run, and provided the biggest hit of the game — a go-ahead, two-run triple to give Redwood a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning. Solle later came around to score on a single by Jack Moseley.
Ben Friedman and Hayden Thill, Tam boys golf
Friedman and Thill joined a short list of Marin golfers who have made it all the way to the State Championship. Both Red-tailed Hawks carded 2-over-par 73s to finish in a six-way tie for 17th place at San Gabriel Country Club on Wednesday. The Tam duo became the first boys golfers from Marin to make it to State since The Branson School’s Miguel Delgado in 2013.
Cassidy Kaplan and Thomara Drummer, San Rafael softball
There were only four hits combined between San Rafael and Dixon in their NorCal D-III quarterfinal. Drummer limited Dixon to three hits across seven innings, allowing an unearned run while striking out 10 batters. Kaplan had the lone hit of the game for the Bulldogs — a single to lead off the fifth inning.
Grayson Roberts, Branson baseball
Branson’s NorCal run also lasted just one game, but Roberts delivered a standout performance on the mound. Roberts worked 5.1 innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while striking out three as the Bulls bowed out 2-1 against Bradshaw Christian in the D-IV playoffs.
Anthony Scheppler, San Marin baseball
Scheppler hit a two-run homer in the top of the third to get San Marin on the board in Tuesday’s NorCal D-II quarterfinal against St. Ignatius, but the Mustangs were never able to get the lead in a 6-3 loss. Scheppler also had a two-out double in the top of the first inning.