Tam Surges to NCS Championship Game With Stunning Comeback

After digging itself into a 6-0 hole after two innings, the Tam High baseball did the seemingly impossible Wednesday, surging to an 11-7 comeback win over Miramonte High and advancing to the North Coast Section Division III championship game Saturday in Oakland.

"To come from six runs down in such a big game is just amazing," coach Mike Terry said afterwards. "These kids are so excited right now and I'm just thrilled for them."

The Hawks will face Lafayette's Acalanes High for the NCS D-III title at the Oakland Coliseum at 1 p.m. Saturday. In doing so, Terry's team is also looking for a bit of history, as word has it that Tam hasn't made an NCS final in baseball in decades - many decades.

"It's just incredible what these kids have accomplished," Terry said.

Things certainly didn't look good at the outset, as Miramonte scored two runs in the first inning and another four in the second, drawing a number of walks, getting some key hits and chasing starting pitcher Matt Davis in taking a commanding lead. 

But then the wheels fell off for Miramonte, as the Hawks scored three runs in the fourth and then used a "brutally small strike zone" and some timely hitting to take control, Terry said. The Hawks drew three straight walks in the fifth inning on top of some key hits, and then Terry brought on ace pitcher Kit Larson to shut it down. Larson pitched 2 and two-thirds innings of hitless, shut-out ball, striking out five and sealing the historic win.

"He has been absolutely money for us this season and he just keeps it going," Terry said.