This blog post recaps a shot-clock playoff thriller in Marin County. Novato edged the Redwood Giants 9-8 to extend their eight-game win streak.
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Game recap: a nail-biting playoff showdown in Marin
The playoff tilt between Novato and the Redwood Giants had the urgency you’d expect from a late-season Bay Area clash. The Novato Hornets fought from the first pitch to the final out, piling pressure on a Redwood team that came in riding a five-game winning streak.
When the dust settled at a packed field near downtown Novato, the scoreboard showed 9-8 for the home team. It was one of the more dramatic finishes Marin County fans have seen this year.
Novato’s victory kept their strong regular-season form rolling and handed Redwood a rare setback. Novato now sits at 20-6, while Redwood falls to 22-3-1 after the tough loss.
The game’s momentum swung on a handful of big at-bats. Novato kept manufacturing runs in a tight, high-stakes playoff environment, and fans from Novato to San Rafael were buzzing in the stands.
Key performances that defined the win
- Hunter Lynch reached base five times in eight plate appearances. He belted a home run and crossed home twice as Novato kept the pressure on Redwood all night.
- Trevor Cleary turned in a monster stat line, going 4-for-8 with five RBIs, a triple, and a run. That four-hit night set a new single-game career high for him.
- Cohen Garcia delivered offensively with his first double of the season. It helped stretch innings and kept the lineup moving against a tough Redwood pitching staff.
What this victory means for Novato, Redwood, and Marin’s playoff picture
High school baseball in Marin draws big crowds from all over, from Sausalito and Tiburon up through Mill Valley and into Novato. The win just underscores how deep and competitive spring sports can get around here.
Novato stays hot as they push toward the later rounds of the postseason. Redwood—already with an impressive record—felt the sting of a rare outlier night on the road in Marin.
The scoreboard told the story of two programs that had both shown playoff-caliber form all year. Now, they were put to the test in a one-game scenario.
As the brackets tighten, Tuesday’s schedule brings more Bay Area travel and more Marin County pride. Novato will host Foothill at 5:00 p.m., bringing Foothill’s Pleasant Hill squad into the North Bay corridor.
Redwood, meanwhile, heads to Campolindo for a 5:00 p.m. showdown in Moraga. That trip adds another layer of anticipation for Marin fans following both sides into the postseason race.
What’s next for Marin fans
- Follow the Novato v. Foothill matchup in the North Bay. Novato’s trying to ride the momentum they built in San Rafael, San Anselmo, and the Novato Valley.
- Keep an eye on Redwood as they chase another deep playoff run. They’re heading south to Campolindo, putting Marin’s tight-knit baseball scene—from Ross and Larkspur to Corte Madera—on notice.
- Celebrate the players who stepped up in this high-stakes playoff format. From Olompali to Hamilton, families across Marin County definitely felt the energy of those Friday night lights.
The Novato–Redwood playoff clash really showed off classic Marin County baseball: sharp pitching, clutch hitting, and a community that just won’t quit. MaxPreps and infoSentience provided the stats and updates, and honestly, Marin County high school sports never stop moving.
Here is the source article for this story: Baseball Recap: Novato Takes Down Redwood in a Playoff Battle
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