Sports briefs: Buckson hits three home runs as Pacifics roll
Aki Buckson had four hits — including three home runs — and drove in five to highlight a big offensive night for the San Rafael Pacifics in a 9-4 home victory against the Monterey Amberjacks at Albert Park on Thursday night.
Buckson, who hit leadoff for the Pacifics (18-6 Pecos League), got his night started with a solo home run in the bottom of the first. Buckson added a single in the fifth, a two-run homer in the sixth, and another two-run homer to cap the scoring in the eighth.
Chris Wright and Mark Hernandez both had three hits and drove in a run against the Amberjacks (4-18). John Bicos also drove in a run for the Pacifics.
Starting pitcher Jake Dent scattered 11 hits over eight innings and struck out 10 to earn the victory.
San Rafael hosted the Martinez Sturgeon late Friday night before closing out the weekend with a home game Saturday against the Vallejo Seaweed then a road game Sunday against Monterey.
Little League
A trio of 11s All Stars games played on Thursday all resulted in blowouts as Tiburon Peninsula, Mill Valley, and Novato South emerged with victories.
Tiburon Peninsula defeated San Francisco American 14-1, Mill Valley defeated San Francisco National 10-0, and Novato South defeated Gallinas Valley 13-1.
Twin Cities secured a 10-0 victory over West Marin on Thursday in 9-10s action. San Rafael defeated Gallinas Valley 10-4, and Mill Valley fell to San Francisco American 20-4.
The lone 8-9s game saw Twin Cities prevail over Novato South 5-1.
Golf
Former Branson School standout Ryan Herbst advanced to the final qualifying round for the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship after he fired a 71 in a local qualifier in Hawaii on Tuesday to take third place.
Herbst birdied the first hole in sudden death to claim third place. The top five golfers all advanced to the final round of qualifying to be held in July. The U.S. Amateur Championship is set to be held at The Olympic Club in San Francisco from Aug 11-17.
Arjun Aujla of Tiburon, another former Branson golfer, was tied for 11thin the Hawaii local qualifying with a 73.