The Terra Linda Trojans will face off against the Novato Hornets at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Terra Linda has eight straight wins, Novato has three straight losses), but none of that matters once you're on the field.
Terra Linda had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the ten-run drubbing they dealt Justin-Siena on Friday. Terra Linda blew past Justin-Siena 13-3. Considering the Trojans have won six games by more than six runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Eleanor Johnson was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in six consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI. That home run was her first of the season.
In other batting news, Terra Linda let Naomi Lewis and Lacey Graham run wild. Lewis scored two runs while going 2-for-3, while Graham scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3. Ava Law was another key player, scoring a run while going 1-for-2.
Terra Linda always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .633. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Justin-Siena only posted an OBP of .435.
Meanwhile, Novato came up short against Petaluma on Thursday, falling 14-6.
Novato saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Claire Hannan, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Novato's defeat dropped their record down to 2-7. As for Terra Linda, their victory bumped their record up to 7-0.
Novato's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Terra Linda has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .532. It's a different story for Novato, though, as they've only averaged .353. Will they be able to contain Terra Linda's hitters?
Terra Linda was able to grind out a solid win over Novato in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, winning 11-6. Will Terra Linda repeat their success, or does Novato has a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
