Mendelsohn Pitches Well, but Novato Falls in Baseball

In a game closer than the scoreboard indicated, the baseball team kept it close against Sonoma Valley before falling 5-0 in the quarterfinals of the North Coast Section Division 3 playoffs.

Ironically, it was the identical score by which the Hornets, who entered NCS play seeded 12th in the 15-team field, had lost to the Dragons in a non-league game on May 5.

Novato’s defense was key in the first five innings, only having two errors and pitcher striking out five with no runs.

It appeared that the game was going to be longer than seven innings, but fourth-seeded Sonoma Valley, playing at home because it was the higher seed, seized control in the bottom of the sixth thanks to eight hits.

Both teams brought the defense Friday night. What Sonoma Valley had that Novato didn’t was offense.

The game started slowly as both teams were trying to figure out each other's weak spots.

But in the third inning, found his pitch and hit a double to give Novato momentum. The Hornets eventually put a second runner on base in the inning, but couldn’t score.

Meanwhile, Mendelsohn was practically unhittable, keeping the game scoreless.

Novato’s defense shined in the fifth inning when Sonoma seemed to find some rhythm offensively. With one out, Mendelsohn struck out the batter and catcher made a perfect throw to second base for a pick-off that ended the inning.

Then came the difference-making sixth inning, during which Novato's hitters went down 1-2-3, all on strikeouts. That set the stage for Sonoma's explosion, the eight-hit uprising that produced all five runs.

The Hornets attempted to rally in the top of the seventh, but still couldn’t find the offensive rhythm they were looking for, bringing to an end a highly successful 14-13 season.

Novato had beaten fifth-seeded Albany 8-1 in a first-round game Wednesday.