Prep softball: San Rafael’s rally falls short in NCS

From the second Sonoma Valley High winning pitcher Kassedy Midgley slugged a homer in the top of the first inning against host San Rafael, the Bulldogs knew they were in for a dogfight.

In a game it never led, No. 5-seeded San Rafael was surprised by No. 12 Sonoma Valley 7-6 on Wednesday in the first round of the North Coast Section Division III softball tournament.

San Rafael had won the NCS title a year ago and expected more after taking second in the MCAL. At times, the Bulldogs seemed poised to live up to their seed and defend their 2022 championship with three-run rallies in the third and sixth innings, but could never get over the hump.

“We came close, then we weren’t and then we came close again,” said San Rafael coach Mark Everett. “Bottom of seventh down by one is an exciting place to be put in any sport.”

Sonoma Valley (12-12) moves on to face No. 4 Albany, which blanked Novato 9-0 in other first-round action. San Rafael ends the season at 14-8.

“Losses suck, of course,” said San Rafael catcher Angel Amesa. “Sometimes teams just beat you. I definitely learned a lot being on the team this year. I’m definitely looking forward to next season and hoping that we make it far again.”

Showing the heart of a champion, San Rafael battled back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut its deficit to the final margin. Amesa, who was named first-team All-MCAL earlier in the day, slashed a bases-loaded double to right field to score Karen Vela and Sophia Everett, who had walked, and Cassidy Kaplan, who singled the previous at-bat.

Amesa and Kaplan led the Bulldogs with two hits each.

Trailing 3-0 in the third inning, San Rafael pitcher Megan Murphy, another first-team all-league pick, blasted a three-run double over the right fielder’s head to tie the game. A walk to Giselle Gaul and singles by Kaplan and Amesa set the table.

The Dragons answered back with three runs on four hits in the top of the fourth to pull away 6-3 and added an insurance run in the sixth.

In the top of the second, the Dragons scored a pair of runs on two hits and a walk to jump ahead 3-0. With runners at first and second, Taylor Owen drilled a line drive that skidded passed the Bulldogs’ right fielder for two runs.

“That was a good, solid-hitting team,” said coach Everett. “We came up a little short but that’s how it goes.”

Besides her homer in the first, Midgley struck out eight and scattered seven hits. The junior right-hander led the Dragons with three hits.