Baseball Game Preview: Branson Bulls vs. Novato Hornets

Branson hasn't had much luck against Novato recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Bulls will take on the Hornets at 4:30 p.m. Neither Branson nor Novato posted many runs in their last games, so it might be the pitching crews that decide this one.

Branson fell victim to San Marin and their airtight pitching crew on Saturday. They came up short against the Mustangs, falling 6-0.

Branson got a good showing from Grayson Roberts, who pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off three hits. Roberts has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.

Mo Jacoby

Stolen Base

04/19/25 vs San Marin	1
04/16/25 @ Sonoma Academy	1
04/04/25 vs Tamalpais	1

On the hitting side, Branson saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Mo Jacoby, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base. Jacoby has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played.

For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Novato and Tamalpais meet (seven straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Thursday. The Hornets fell just short of the Red Tailed Hawks by a score of 4-2. The Hornets' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Gio Castaing was cooking despite his team's loss, going 1-for-3 with one run, one double, and one RBI.

Branson's defeat dropped their record down to 6-9. As for Novato, their loss dropped their record down to 8-8.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Branson has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Novato struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Branson skirted past Novato 9-8 when the teams last played back in April of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Bulls since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.