Sean McGrath threw a complete-game one-hitter and Cole Chamberlain broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning as host San Marin beat Novato, 1-0, in the North Coast Section Division III quarterfinals on Friday.
McGrath, the MCAL Pitcher of the Year, registered eight strikeouts and two walks as he faced just 23 batters. The Hornets’ Cohen Garcia, with a single to the gap in the second inning, was the only person to connect against McGrath.
“Sean did what he’s been doing all season,” San Marin coach Jamie Vattuone said. “That’s the reason he’s MCAL Pitcher of the Year. Every time he goes out there, we’re winning. That’s our mindset with him out there. He’s just a bulldog on the mound.”
Second-seeded San Marin (20-8) will host No. 6 Encinal in Tuesday’s 5 p.m. semifinal. The Jets defeated No. 3 seed Alhambra 2-1 on Friday.
San Marin swept Novato (15-12) in all four meetings this season, including a May 7 MCAL semifinal game. The Mustangs outscored the Hornets 20-3 in the three previous games, but the bats on both sides were relatively quiet on Friday.
“We were excited for this game,” Novato’s Cash Campbell said. “I’m not sure anyone expected us to get this far, so a chance to win in NCS and, yeah, to get a little revenge, that was exciting. It didn’t happen, but this has been a great season.”
Novato starter J.P. Harmon was off to an impressive start when his back failed him during the third inning. The sophomore struck out four of the eight batters he faced before leaving the game. The Hornets showed their depth as senior Dan Liuzzi gave an effective effort in middle relief, despite surrendering a fourth-inning double to Anthony Scheppler and two walks.
“We all stepped up our games,” Liuzzi said. “No one expects an injury to the starting pitcher in the third inning, so that was tough. (Harmon) was throwing a great game.”
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Chamberlain on third and Scheppler at the plate, the pitch from Liuzzi got away from catcher Gio Castaing. The hard-charging Chamberlain broke for home as Castaing scrambled for the ball to score the winning run.
“They were throwing the ball really well and we weren’t really swinging it all that well,” Chamberlain said. “So my first thought was I’ve got to get a dirty ball and I’ve got to be on my toes. The ball got past the catcher and I’m running no matter what… I knew I had to be aggressive. It wasn’t that close since I think the catcher thought the ball hit Scheppler, but the umpire didn’t call it that way.”
As brilliant as the pitching was on both sides, Mustangs’ second baseman Hugh Brady nearly stole the show as he leapt to snare a high line drive from Julian Oliver to key a triple play in the top of the second. With runners on first and second, the Hornets were looking for a hit-and-run. Brady tossed the ball to Tyler Keehn at first for the second out. Keehn then alertly completed the play with a throw to Scheppler at second base.
