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  • Casey Schmitt’s big day in Milwaukee helps SF Giants snap four-game losing streak

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    Facing one of the top pitchers in the majors, the Giants proved that sometimes, patience can be the solution to a problem in their 7-1 victory over the Brewers.

    For five scoreless innings on Saturday evening, San Francisco flailed against Freddy Peralta (15-5), the National League’s leader in wins. 

    The 29-year-old was a bit erratic but still effective. He issued four walks but also allowed only two hits and struck out six, keeping pace with Logan Webb in a classic pitcher’s duel.

    But with the Giants’ bats struggling against Peralta, Brewers manager Pat Murphy gave the Giants a major break by yanking his ace after 96 pitches. 

    With Grant Andersen on the mound and facing a 1-0 deficit, the Giants (62-68) took advantage of some hittable pitches – and a handful of errors – to jump all over Milwaukee (81-49). Casey Schmitt, starting at second, drove in four runs. 

    Willy Adames, who received another standing ovation before his first at-bat in his old stomping grounds, got on first to lead off the sixth inning after Andruw Monasterio committed an error. 

    Following Dominic Smith’s single, Schmitt tied the game with a double to left. 

    Then the red-hot Luis Matos got on base thanks to another error by corner infielder Anthony Seigler, allowing Smith and Schmitt to score and give the Giants a 3-1 lead. Matos had two hits and now has six overall in three games since being called up from Sacramento. 

    Schmitt padded the lead with a three-run 382-foot homer to center in the seventh, his ninth long ball of the season, and Patrick Bailey got his second hit of the night to give the Giants a 7-1 lead. 

    One of San Francisco’s top bats participated in the offensive explosion. After being on the injured list for the past 10 days with right-hand inflammation, Matt Chapman was back starting at third base and drew two walks.

    “He’s the leader … having him back there on the field just makes us that much better,” Schmitt said on the NBC broadcast.

    With their aces on the mound, runs were hard to come by for each team early on. Caleb Durbin doubled in Milwaukee teammate Jake Bauers in the second inning to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead. 

    It was not until Peralta was pulled after five innings that the San Francisco offense found its footing against the top team in the National League. 

    That put Webb in line to get the win after he threw six innings and allowed five hits and had six strikeouts. He improved to 12-9 on the season. 

    If the Giants can knock off the Brewers on Sunday, they will win a series for the first time since Aug. 6 against the Pirates. Robbie Ray is expected to pitch for San Francisco. 

    Fitzgerald sent down

    To make room for Chapman, the Giants sent Tyler Fitzgerald back down to Sacramento. He was just 2 of 19 at the plate since being recalled from Triple-A on Aug. 12 while splitting time between his natural second base position and right field. 

    Originally Published:

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    Joseph Dycus

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  • Injuries continue to pile up for Valkyries in painful loss to Mercury

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    Healthy players and wins are becoming harder and harder to come by for the Valkyries as the season enters its final phase. 

    Golden State dropped its third consecutive game when the visiting team fell to Phoenix 81-72 on Friday night. 

    Veteran guard Tiffany Hayes, who made her return after resting against Phoenix in the Bay Area on Tuesday, left the game with an injury with 7:17 to go in the third quarter. 

    Hayes collided with Mercury guard Kahleah Copper after she closed out on a pass intended for Copper. Hayes crumped to the ground and later went back to the locker room. 

    Rookie guard Carla Leite also injured her ankle in the same quarter, and although she attempted to play through it, eventually was pulled with 8:20 in the fourth quarter.

    Coach Natalie Nakase said both were in good spirits after the game.

    “She was smiling, and I’ll have to wait to see from our medical staff what the situation is,” Nakase said of Hayes, adding about Leite. “She something was sore with her foot, but she said she’s good.”

    With their veteran leader knocked out, the Valkyries tumbled back to .500 with an 18-18 record and into the last playoff spot as the No. 8 seed after losing the rematch to the Mercury, who beat Golden State in the Bay Area on Tuesday. 

    The Valkyries kept it close for a while, though. Golden State trailed 41-31 at halftime, and a burst in the third cut the deficit to 50-47 with a little over four minutes remaining in the quarter. 

    One of the few bright spots for the Valkyries was rookie wing Janelle Salaun, who was asked to take on more of a scoring role with Cecilia Zandalasini staying at home while nursing a calf injury. 

    Salaun scored 15 on a variety of drives, contested finishes and some soft mid-range jumpers. Coming off a 24-point, 14-assist masterclass on Tuesday, Veronica Burton put up a solid 11 points and eight assists for the Valkyries.

    Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas stuffed the stat sheet with an 13-point, 12-rebound, 16-assist effort, her sixth triple-double of the season. 

    “We need to be better on defense,” Salaun said. “Sometimes, we make shots, sometimes we do not. But I think we need to be more connected on defense.”

    Golden State will play at Dallas on Sunday. ”

    Makoa Akani gets the last laugh

    After being the topic of much conversation following her soccer-esque foul on Veronica Burton, the rookie out of France showed that she was more than just a defender against Golden State.

    She made 6 of 9 shots and scored 18 points, 11 in the second quarter, spacing the floor for her more-decorated teammates in Thomas and Co. One of her fastbreak layups with two minutes remaining on the third quarter clock pushed the Phoenix lead to 62-49 and forced Nakase to call timeout. 

    As a team, the Mercury peppered the Valkyries from the perimeter and made 14 of 32 from 3-point land, compared to just 8 of 31 for Golden State.

    Long-range ineptitude, fastbreak success

    The Valkyries shot 3 of 15 from the 3-point line in the first half, forcing up shots due to their inability to break down the compact Suns defense. Instead of continuing to throw up bricks from long range, Nakase’s Valkyries appeared to place an emphasis on pushing the pace. 

    Though the team only had 14 fastbreak points according to the official box score, Golden State’s willingness to run and play in semi-transition allowed the visitors to create open looks. Salaun broke free for a couple of fastbreak layups, as did Hayes in the second quarter after a Mercury turnover. 

    Rupert returns

    Both Hayes (rest) and Rupert (concussion) were back in the starting lineup after missing Tuesday’s game at Chase Center.

    Though shutting down Thomas is impossible – after all, Thomas put up a triple double – Rupert still had her moments against the MVP candidate. 

    The center pulled off a nice block on a Thomas fastbreak midway through the second quarter, and a few minutes later, forced a miss with a vertical contest. She ended the game with nine points, five rebounds and two blocks. 

    Originally Published:

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    Joseph Dycus

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  • Shorthanded Valkyries run out of gas against star-studded Mercury

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    SAN FRANCISCO – A chaotic pregame frenzy that saw two regular Valkyries starters listed as last-second scratches predated a chaotic barnburner against the high-powered Mercury.

    Golden State, with only eight players available, lost to Phoenix 98-91 at Chase Center in the third matchup between the teams jockeying for playoff positioning. The Mercury, seeded fourth, have now won all three games against the seventh-seeded Valkyries.

    Veronica Burton continued to stuff the stat sheet at point guard, putting up an efficient 24 points and 14 assists, while surprise starter Kate Martin put in 14 points. Janelle Salaun scored 13 and Carla Leite threw in 15.

    “I’m really impressed with our ability to step up,” Burton said. “So, testament to everyone just stepping up, testament to Kate (Martin) being ready when her number is called, getting thrown into the starting lineup.”

    Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 25 points, while Satou Sabally put up 17 points and triple-double machine Alyssa Thomas had 13 points, eight assists and nine rebounds.

    Phoenix’s Satou Sabally (0) and Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) talk one another after their WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, May 19, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) 

    Golden State led 73-68 after three quarters, but the loaded Mercury were too much for the home team in the fourth. Phoenix outscored the Valkyries 30-16 over the last 10 minutes.

    But the drama began long before tipoff.

    Only a few hours after coach Natalie Nakase called Tuesday’s matchup a must-win, veteran guard Tiffany Hayes was held out for rest purposes.

    Hot-shooting forward Cecilia Zandalasini went through warmups, but was replaced in the starting lineup by Kate Martin and did not appear on the bench.

    “They both warmed up pre-game and they didn’t feel 100% healthy,” coach Natalie Nakase said. “You know my motto, right? If they’re not 100% and they don’t feel right, it’s not time to play.”

    The Italian perimeter player was ruled out with a left calf strain midway through the first quarter. Centers Monique Billings (left ankle sprain) and Iliana Rupert (concussion) were already unavailable for the team fighting for postseason seeding.

    Golden State led 31-28 at halftime, and 59-47 at halftime in front of the team’s 17th consecutive sellout in San Francisco.

    The Valkyries are now seventh in the playoff standings with eight games left. Golden State (18-17) will have two days to rest up before it hits the road and plays a rematch with the Mercury in Phoenix.

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    Joseph Dycus

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  • Preseason all-Bay Area News Group high school football 2025: Kickers/punters

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    As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2025 season, we are rolling out all-Bay Area News Group preseason recognition.

    Today’s position:

    KICKERS/PUNTERS

    Nathan Bearrows, Pioneer, 6-1, 170, senior

    Three-sport athlete also plays soccer and lacrosse. Holds multiple offers from smaller schools. Rated a four-star punter and 3.5-star kicker by ProKicker.com. Averaged 32 yards per punt with a long of 64, landing two inside the 20-yard line. Went 3 for 6 on field goals with a long of 30 yards.

    Zach Brien, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-2, 175, junior

    Five-star prospect finished first at the Chris Sailer Kicking NorCal training camp. Was 5 of 8 on field-goal attempts and 31 of 36 on PAT tries last season for O’Dowd.

    Braden Clark, Branham, 5-9, 135, senior

    Kicks, punts and also took a handoff for Branham last season. Has consistent 40-yard punt range with three-plus-second hangtime and 45-plus-yard field-goal range.

    Brady Emry, Clayton Valley, 5-9, 170, senior

    Four-star punter/kicker hybrid is committed to Minot State, a Division II school in North Dakota. Returning all-Diablo Athletic League honorable mention punter. Punted 27 times last season, averaging 33.8 yards per punt, landing seven punts inside the 20-yard line and hitting a long punt of 52 yards. 

    Nathan Fox, Sacred Heart Prep, 6-0, 155, senior

    Plays soccer and football at SHP. PAL special teams player of the year and all-BANG honorable mention as a sophomore. Made 34 of 36 PAT and 5 of 9 field-goal attempts last season. Also contributes at defensive back.

    Chase Graff, Archbishop Mitty, 5-11, 200, senior

    Versatile player who was named all-WCAL honorable mention at both kicker and offensive line. Also plays defensive end. Has 60-yard range on field goals. 

    Aidan James, Heritage, 5-5, 135, senior

    Returning all-BANG honorable mention. Hit two field goals in a narrow loss to Antioch last season. Converted 37 of 37 PAT and 5 of 5 on field-goal tries last season. Also plays soccer for Heritage.

    Ben Kerrigan, Monte Vista, 5-11, 155, junior

    A 4.5-star kicker and punter has 50-plus-yard field goal range and 40-plus-yard punt range as well as 70-yard kickoff range. Finished top four at The Punt Factory last man standing competition this August. 

    Saul Marks, Serra, 6-0, 160, senior

    Five-star kicker and punter is the No. 1 prospect in California and No. 10 in the United States, according to Kohl’s Kicking. Holds offers from Idaho and Idaho State. Has 70-plus-yard range on kickoffs and 60-yard range on field goals.

    Sebastian Miles, San Ramon Valley, 5-10, 180, senior

    Five-star punter by Chris Sailer Kicking is committed to Northern Arizona. Has 60-plus yard range. Attended Chris Sailer Top 12 camp.

    Ricky Miramontes, Milpitas, 6-3, 220, senior

    Strong-legged specialist averaged 57.4 yards per kickoff last season. Converted a 46-field goal last year and has range up to 60 yards this year. Also punts for Milpitas.

    Anthony Perez, Menlo-Atherton, 6-0, 230, senior

    Returning all-BANG honorable mention. Named first-team all-PAL Bay as a punter last season.

     

    Saxton Sinatra, Silver Creek, 5-9, 166, sophomore

    Three-star kicker and four-star punter is a developing prospect who was named to the 2024 Sports Illustrated all-freshman team. Has 50-plus-yard range on placekicks. 

    Zach Tabibian, Campolindo, 5-10, 180, senior

    A 4.5-star kicker and punter who has 60-plus-yard field-goal range and 70-plus kickoff range. Converted a 61-yard field goal at an MIT camp this summer and also knocked a 74-yard kickoff through the uprights during a practice session. 

    Justin Uribarri, De La Salle, 5-9, 180, senior

    A 4.5-star kicker and punter by Chris Sailer Kicking. Has 50-plus-yard range on placekicks, 40-plus on punts and 70-plus on kickoffs. 

    WHO IS ELIGIBLE

    Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players.

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    Christian Babcock

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