Sports briefs: Novato Heat softball has strong showing at State Games

The Novato Heat 8U softball team finished second in the silver bracket this past weekend at the California State Games in San Diego.

The Novato Heat qualified for the State Games by securing a top-six finish in June at the Regional Championships held in Tracy. A total of 34 teams competed at the State Games last weekend.

The Novato Heat 8U roster features Attey Massey, Ava Smith, Carmella Johnson, Clare Healy, Gabriella Zammarchi, Lincoln Cordes, Lucy Rolovich, Olivia Hawkins, Olivia McNeal, Stella Lamorte, and Violette deGuzman.

The team is coached by Mike Lamorte, Bryanne Johnson, Larry Smith, Madison Augusto, and Cristina Zammarchi.

Novato Girls Softball is hosting 8U and 10U tournaments this coming weekend. Tryouts for 10U Fall Ball are scheduled for Aug. 7 and Aug. 11.

Baseball

The San Rafael Pacifics stumbled to their seventh loss in nine games following a 10-6 defeat against Marysville on Tuesday night.

The Pacifics (30-20 Pecos League) allowed four runs in the top of the 10th inning after stranding the potential winning run on second base in the bottom of the ninth.

Nick Smith and Braxton King both had two hits for San Rafael. Smith drove in a game-high three runs.

San Rafael was set to face the Drakes on the road again on Wednesday night before opening the final weekend of the regular season with a home game against Martinez at Albert Park on Friday night.

The Pacifics have already secured a spot in the Pecos League Pacific Division playoffs, which are set to begin on Monday. Game 2 will be Tuesday with a third game on Wednesday, if necessary.

Pickleball

The Flyte Racquetball Club in San Rafael hosted a pickleball tournament this past weekend. Kristen Morris and Henry Morris were the winner in the mixed upper bracket. Ban Castro and Katie Carlson won the mixed lower bracket. Chris Denniston and Bernie Machando won the women’s doubles 3.5+ tournament.