Three pitchers toss no-hitters in big week
Aces Drummer, Murphy, Solem rule the mound
Pitchers in baseball and softball have long wielded the most influence on the outcome of games. This past week was no exception as San Rafael's Thomara Drummer, Archie Williams' Paige Murphy, and Tam's Eli Solem all registered no-hitters.
Drummer threw one perfect game, another no-hitter, and grinded out another crucial victory against Redwood. Murphy had a no-hitter early in the week then tossed another gem against the Giants.
Solem had a no-hitter against San Rafael. Elsewhere, the Novato High baseball team came up with a crucial sweep against Archie Williams.
THOMARA DRUMMER, SAN RAFAEL SOFTBALL >> Drummer threw a perfect game on Monday and a no-hitter on Wednesday last week but her most impressive performance likely came in between those two games. Drummer scattered 10 hits and struck out the side in high-pressure situations in
both the sixth and seventh innings as the Bulldogs won a game they had to have, 4-3 on the road against Redwood on Tuesday. All told across four games, Drummer went 8 for 15 at the plate with 11 RBIs and is hitting .632 this season. Drummer also pitched 22 innings and struck out 35 batters, allowing only one hit combined in the other three games.
PAIGE MURPHY, ARCHIE WILLIAMS SOFTBALL >> Murphy had a no-hitter on Monday but, much like Drummer, it arguably wasn't her best game of the week. Murphy no-hit Terra Linda 11-0 then tossed a two-hit shutout against Redwood to vault the Peregrine Falcons into first place at roughly the halfway point of the MCAL season. Murphy, hitting .588 on the season,
also went 3 for 7 at the plate with two RBIs last week. ELI SOLEM, TAM BASEBALL >> Tam's ace tossed a no-hitter during a 9-0 win against San Rafael on Tuesday. Solem struck out seven and walked three against the Bulldogs. Solem also drove in three runs as a hitter for the Red-tailed Hawks, who sit in second place at 7-2 but have to yet to finish the second game against San Rafael.
That game was called due to darkness on Friday while tied 4-4 through nine innings.
J.P. HARMON AND COHEN GARCIA, NOVATO BASEBALL >>
Harmon and Cohen had a pair of big games as the Hornets solidified their standing as MCAL playoff contenders following a sweep against Archie Williams. Harmon did the damage with his bat on Tuesday with two hits — including a grand slam in the second inning — four RBIs, and two runs. Harmon started on the mound on Friday, tossing a four-hit shutout. He also went 3 for 3 at the plate with another home run and three RBIs. Garcia also homered with two RBIs and two runs scored in both games. The Hornets sit third in the league at 7-3.
CARSON CANN, TAM GIRLS LACROSSE >> Cann had a pair of big games as the Red-tailed Hawks continued to position themselves for a playoff run. Cann scored twice and dished out nine assists in a 17-4 win against Terra Linda on Tuesday then had five goals, four assists, and five draw controls in a 16-3 win against Branson on Thursday.
ELLIS CHAMBERLIN, ARCHIE WILLIAMS BOYS VOLLEYBALL >>
Chamberlin posted a pair of double-doubles as the Peregrine Falcons won a key matchup against Terra Linda and took down San Marin. Chamberlin had 30 assists and 10 digs against TL then followed that up with 22 assists and 14 digs against the Mustangs. DAVID KEANE, NATE WANGER, AND SHEA SORCHER, TAM BOYS TRACK>> The Redtailed Hawks did their part on Thursday, taking down Novato and TL in a trimeet to remain unbeaten heading into the season finale against Redwood and Archie Williams. Keane, Wanger, and Sorcher were all double winners with Keane winning the 100 meters (12.14 seconds) and tying for first in the high jump (5 feet, 4 inches). Wanger won the 200 (23.91) and the 400 (51.76). Sorcher won the 110 hurdles (17.30) and the 300 hurdles (42.86).
EMMA GARDNER, NATALIE POPPER, AND MIA WONG, TAM GIRLS TRACK >> The girls team also heads into its crucial season-ending tri-meet with an unbeaten record, getting double wins from Gardner, Popper, and Wong. Gardner crossed the finish line first in both the 800 (2:24.33) and 1, 600 (5:20.01). Popper won both hurdles events — 100 (17.92) and 300 (54.52). Wong claimed victory in the 400 (1:02.84) and the long jump (13'10”).