Martin fires no-hitter for South City in win over Mission

“To be honest, I believe it’s never happened since I’ve been here in the last 25 years,” said Matt Schaukowitch, who took over for the legendary Brian as South City’s baseball manager in 2001. “So, it was a pretty cool little experience, and I don’t think it’s happened any time lately.”

The outing was Martin’s first start of the year. His first pitching appearance was in relief Feb. 24 against Overfelt-San Jose. The junior worked one inning, allowing two runs on one hit and a walk. The hiccup didn’t cost South City, however, as the team is off to a 3-0 start this season.

Martin was electric Monday, striking out 13, including a called third strike to end the game for No. 13. He finished with 92 pitches, a high number for the opening week of the season. Schaukowitch said Martin was still under his pitch limit when he finished the sixth inning and made the decision to extend his starter in the seventh if he kept the no-hitter in his sights.

“He was pretty efficient all day,” Schaukowitch said. “It’s tough to take a kid out in a situation like that. Obviously, there was a concern … but it was his, for him to finish, as long as everything stayed intact.”

Prior to the seventh inning, Schaukowitch conferred with his left-side infielders, shortstop Giovanni Bernal and third baseman Emilio Oseguera, to stress the importance of the situation. No one used the words “no-hitter,” but all three were on the same page.

Asked Schaukowitch: “‘Do you know what’s at stake when we go out in the seventh?’” he said. “And they were like, ‘Yeah, we know.’”

Oseguera was certainly on his toes in the seventh. After Martin opened the inning with a strikeout, the following batter hit a line drive to the left side of the infield. Oseguera shuffled two steps to his right to haul in the loud liner, but it was a scary moment for those aware history was in the making.

“Off the bat I held my breath,” Schaukowitch said.

Martin wasn’t the only one featuring hitless stuff. While South City (3-0) totaled 11 walks in the game and jumped ahead early — scoring one in the first, one in the second and two more in the fourth — Mission (0-2) took a no-hitter of its own into the sixth. The Warriors produced just one hit in the game, off the bat of Martin, who tabbed an RBI single in the sixth to up the lead to 5-0.

Martin has now hit safely in all three of South City’s games, batting .385 (5 for 13) on the young season.

On the mound, Martin dominated with a two-pitch combination. He is now 1-0 with a 1.75 ERA.

“The fastball up, he was getting it by them, and he was able to strike some guys out on looking curveballs,” Schaukowitch said. “He really did a nice job of mixing it up. … He had it going on. He’s got stuff … but to be able to get into double digits is definitely an accomplishment in itself.”

Woodside 6, Sequoia 3

An early-season rivalry matchup saw a wild finish at Sequoia, as the Wildcats (2-1) rallied for three runs in their final at-bat to win it.

Sequoia (2-2) was trailing 3-0 in the sixth, but senior slugger Brian Casey clubbed a three-run home run against Woodside starting pitcher Dylan Babcock to tie it. Woodside stayed with Babcock, and the senior right-hander was rewarded with a Woodside three-run rally in the top of the seventh.

Sophomore Cruz Torres paced the Wildcats at the plate, going 2 for 3 with two doubles, and two RBIs. Babcock went the distance, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five. It was the second career complete game for the third-year varsity pitcher. His record is now 1-0.

Robert Oda paced the Ravens, going 2 for 3 with a double. Casey’s home run was his second of the year.

El Camino 12, Lincoln-SF 2

The Colts (2-0) won their second straight to start the year, rallying for six runs in the first and banging out 12 hits overall in a rout at West Sunset Diamond #1. Seniors Caleb Voelker and Evan Viana recorded three hits and two RBIs apiece, while Voelker and senior Andy Mak each had a pair of doubles. Senior Kevin Cristobal went 2 for 3 and swiped three bases. Voelker earned the win on the mound, navigating 3 1/3 wild innings, allowing one run on three hits while walking five and striking out five. Luke Toloski took the loss for Lincoln (0-3).

St. Francis 11, Menlo-Atherton 0

Will Roberts, Jack Molise and David Lopez had two hits apiece for M-A (2-2), but the Bears couldn’t push any runs across as St. Francis (2-1) won its second straight. Senior starting pitcher Harrison Long took the loss, lasting 2 1/3 innings. Noah Whittaker and Wes Peterson each gave up runs in relief, but M-A pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts on the day.

In other action ...

Jefferson (1-0) opened its season with an explosion of offense, winning 21-6 via mercy rule at home against Burton-SF (1-1). The Grizzlies scored in all five innings, including six in the first and 12 more to put it away in the fifth.