Sports Briefs: Branson tennis places third in NCS singles, doubles
The Branson School’s Chase Hoeveler took third in singles play and the Bulls’ duo of Tom and Finn Higgins placed third in doubles action at Monday’s North Coast Section Division II tournament finale at Golden Gate Park. The Higgins duo defeated Tucker Brewer and Ace Reeder of Acalanes, 6-4, 6-0, in the third-place contest. The Bulls lost a narrow three-set semifinal match, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, against Dylan Donovan and Sahm Taguchi of Head Royce.
Meanwhile, Hoeveler defeated Piedmont’s Lucas Smolko in the third-place singles matchup. Hoeveler lost 6-3, 6-2 to Saahil Mishra of Lick-Wilmerding in Monday’s semifinals.
The second-seeded Bulls kick off the NCS D-II team tournament Tuesday, along with No. 9 Marin Academy, No. 10 Marin Catholic and No. 11 San Domenico. Redwood is competing in the NCS D-I tournament.
Prep baseball
Terra Linda held off a seventh-inning rally effort from the Branson School (8-15) for a 4-3 non-league victory on Monday. The Trojans (2-21) scored a run in the top of the fifth for a 3-2 lead, then junior closer Hayden Biesiadecki made it hold up as he retired the final three batters in the seventh.
Trojans sophomore Thomas Martinez got the win as he struck out seven batters but walked none as he scattered four hits through six full innings. Martinez was 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and two RBIs, while Terra Linda’s Felix Dawson and Biesiadecki each had two hits and an RBI.
Prep softball
San Rafael got some batting practice in ahead of Wednesday’s MCAL playoffs with Monday’s 7-0 non-league victory over Mt. Diablo on the road. The top-seeded Bulldogs (20-2) host No. 4 San Marin in Wednesday’s league semifinals.