Tam Tops Drake on Walk-Off Walk

Early in the second inning of ’s game against Drake High Friday night, Tam baseball coach Mike Terry knew his team might only need one run to win – ace starter Kit Larson had his best stuff of the season.

Terry said Larson had command of his curveball and his cutter and was throwing his fastball for strikes at around 87 mph.

“I knew that if we could get one (run) across, that would probably do it,” Terry said.

Through 7 innings, Drake pitcher David Ross prevented the Hawks from doing just that. But then came the bottom of the 8th inning.

Reliever Danny Nilsen gave up a pair of hits, including a lead-off single to Larson, and ended up walking in the winning run – Larson – with no outs to end the game. Terry said his base runners actually paused in confusion after the walk because of such an inimitable way to win a game.

“I thought we were going to get a run across at some point in that inning with the bases loaded and no outs,” Terry said. “But that was crazy.”

The 97-pitch win exemplified Larson’s do-it-all role for the Hawks, Terry said.

“He’s our big game pitcher – he has yet to turn down the baseball,” Terry said. “He had some mechanics issues early on but he’s ironed those out and now he’s starting to pitch his best ball of the season. He’s our go-to guy.”

At 14-5 overall and 10-3 in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL), Tam shares first place with Justin-Siena. The Hawks visit San Rafael Tuesday and Marin Catholic on Thursday. Both games are at 4:30 p.m.