MC WINS 4TH, FINAL BATTLE VS. REDWOOD

Malen escapes pair of bases-loaded jams as Wildcats win in 11 innings

Perhaps it's time for the softball teams at Marin Catholic and Redwood High to just begin their head-to-head games in the eighth inning.

For the fourth time in four meetings this season, seven innings were not enough to decide things between the Wildcats and Giants. The teams played a 10-inning game and a nine-inning game in league play — Redwood won both — then battled for 10 more innings in last week's MCAL title game — won 1-0 by MC.

The final meeting of the season required 11 innings and took place in the North Coast Section Division II quarterfinals at Redwood on Friday.

Pitchers Rose Malen and Sadie Leonard went pitch for pitch again until Malen emerged victorious, driving in the winning run for MC in the top of the 11th then escaping a no-outs, bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the frame to cap a 3-2 victory.

“I was just focused on one batter at a time, getting one out at a time,” Malen said. “We got a run in the 11th so I knew I had a little bit of leeway but I was really focused on pitching to one batter

PHOTOS BY SHERRY LAVARS — MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL Marin Catholic pitcher Rose Malen (12) celebrates after defeating Redwood in a NCS D-II quarterfinal in Larkspur on Friday.

Marin Catholic pitcher Rose Malen (12) throws to first base to get Redwood's Kaela Sparler (2) during a NCS D-II quarterfinal in Larkspur on Friday.