The Marin County baseball scene split sharply as the San Rafael Bulldogs got blown out by the Novato Hornets, 12-2. That loss snapped a three-game road winning streak and dropped San Rafael to 8-7 this season.
In a county that usually sees close games from San Anselmo to Sausalito, this one turned fast. Novato’s offense just overwhelmed a struggling San Rafael pitching staff.
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A tale of contrasting offenses and pitching in Marin County
From the streets of downtown San Rafael to the hills around Novato, this matchup was all about Novato’s bats and San Rafael’s defensive struggles. The Hornets’ lineup caught fire at the plate.
San Rafael just couldn’t get enough baserunners to keep up. The game felt out of reach almost right away.
Novato’s offense erupts behind power and control
Novato’s win came from a mix of power and aggressive baserunning. Standout performances carried the Hornets to their third straight home win.
The Hornets stuck with JP Harmon on the mound, and it worked. Novato put up runs early and often against San Rafael’s pitching.
- Julian Oliver — 3-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. Oliver hadn’t had a night like that since April 2025.
- JP Harmon — 12 strikeouts in five innings, with four hits, one earned run, and one walk allowed. When Harmon’s locked in, Novato looks like a different team.
- Novato’s home success — The Hornets have averaged 9.3 runs over their last three home wins, which is a big jump for them in Marin County.
- Cohen Garcia — Scored his first run of the season and chipped in to the Hornets’ offensive surge.
Harmon’s command really shapes the Hornets’ season. They’re undefeated when he allows just one walk or fewer, but they’re 4-5 otherwise.
San Rafael’s defense falters in a high-profile road test
San Rafael’s defense just fell apart, giving up 12 runs after holding teams in check most of the year. Floyd Greene managed to go 2-for-3 with a double, a run, and an RBI.
The night, though, really belonged to Novato’s hitters. They kept finding gaps and moving runners around the bases.
Pitches and plate: how the night unfolded for Marin County
The gap between San Rafael and Novato opened up early. The Bulldogs never really closed it.
Greene’s two hits stood out, but Novato’s timely hitting and aggressive baserunning made all the difference. San Rafael’s pitching just couldn’t keep up as the Hornets piled on late in the game.
- Floyd Greene — 2-for-3 with a double, a run, and an RBI. Easily San Rafael’s highlight of the night.
- San Rafael’s overall run allowance — 12 on the night, way up from their usual 3.33-per-game average.
What this means for San Rafael and the rest of Marin
This result in Novato ripples through the rest of Marin County. Teams from Mill Valley to Corte Madera and Larkspur are watching.
San Rafael’s got to regroup fast before their rematch with the Hornets. Novato, meanwhile, has some momentum as they head into big games around Fairfax and Sausalito.
Rematch on the schedule: Saturday at noon
The schedule shows a noon rematch on Saturday. It’s a big chance for San Rafael to respond and for Novato to show that last game’s blowout was no fluke.
People all over Marin County—from Ross to Tiburon—will keep an eye on this one. Can San Rafael fix their defense? Will Novato’s offense keep rolling against what’s supposed to be a refreshed Bulldog pitching staff?
- Watch Harmon’s command on the mound and see how much Novato leans on their bullpen this time.
- Can Oliver pull off another multi-hit, multi-stolen-base game against a stronger San Rafael pitching crew?
- Will Greene and the rest of the Bulldogs finally break out with more offense in this next matchup?
Spring baseball in Marin County is honestly something special. From the quiet stands in San Anselmo to the breezy outfields in Belvedere, these matchups really bring out the best of local ball.
This rematch—whether it’s in Richmond’s shadow or back at Novato’s park—feels like another chapter in a season that’s all about grit, speed, and that unshakable Marin baseball pride.
Here is the source article for this story: Baseball Recap: San Rafael Takes a Loss
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