San Marin's Second Straight MCAL Title is a Blast

Paige McIntosh hit a two-run homer to lead San Marin to a 4-3 victory over San Rafael in the Marin County Athletic League playoff championship game on Saturday at San Marin High.

San Marin trailed 3-2 in the top of the fifth when McIntosh hit the decisive blast that sent the Mustangs on their way to their second consecutive MCAL title.

"Obviously we would have liked to win in a less stressful situation but having to come from behind is always a fun thing to do," San Marin coach Liz Hartmann said.

"The home run was a huge hit, fun to watch, that's for sure." McIntosh's homer was her 10th of the season.

"A lot of teams pitch around her for the most part and she basically had to wait for them to make a mistake and that happened" in the championship game," Hartmann said. "(The San Rafael pitcher) missed on her location and she sent it out about 230 feet."

The blast solidifies McIntosh's reputation as a clutch hitter. She hit a grand slam in last season's 7-5 MCAL championship game victory over Tamalpais.
Hartmann said she considers McIntosh a Division I prospect.

"Coming through in two championship games with two home runs is a pretty big deal," Hartmann said.

Other key contributors including pitcher Hayley Gazdik and Samantha Tong. Tong was 3-for-3 with three runs scored.  

Gazdik, who pitched a complete game for San Marin, continues to thrive in her role as the team's unsung hero.

Gazdik pitched in the title game after throwing a four-hitter in Friday's 11-1 semifinal victory over Redwood that was mercy-ruled after six innings.

In addition to her steady presence in the pitcher's circle, Gazdik had been a force offensively batting in a key spot in the lineup behind McIntosh.

"It's a huge responsibility that a lot of people don't realize because a lot of times what they'll do is (pitch) around Paige to get to Hailey's and she's made them pay for that a couple of times," Hartmann said.

"That's kind of how she takes it, 'OK, you're going to go around her? Well I'm not going to let you get off that easy.' "

San Marin (17-4) has a first-round bye in the North Coast Section Division III playoffs. The Mustangs are the division's No. 2 seed.

They are scheduled to play host to the winner of Wednesday's game between No. 7 Campolindo (11-9) and No. 10 Hercules (12-12) on Friday or Saturday at a time to be determined.