Despite out-hitting host Valley Christian 7-4 Wednesday, the San
Benito High baseball team could not do the same in the run
department, as the Balers dropped their season opener to the West
Catholic Athletic League power by a 5-2 margin in non-conference
action.
SAN JOSE
Despite out-hitting host Valley Christian 7-4 Wednesday, the San Benito High baseball team could not do the same in the run department, as the Balers dropped their season opener to the West Catholic Athletic League power by a 5-2 margin in non-conference action.
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San Benito plated both of its runs in the top half of the seventh when it was previously trailing by a 5-0 score. Darin Gillies and Jose Guzman both had RBI hits in the game, while Marcus Sabatte and Dustin Rovella each scored a run for the Balers in the final frame.
Having graduated several players from last year’s team, though, and also with several others still competing for the boys’ basketball squad, seven of San Benito’s nine starters on Wednesday made their varsity debut against Valley Christian.
First-year manager Jason Bugg said the Balers made some “young mistakes” as a result, including two recorded errors that led to two unearned runs for the Warriors.
Valley Christian managed to jump out to a 2-0 lead through two innings of play, then tacked on two more runs in the fourth frame.
Gillies started on the hill for the Balers, allowing two runs on two hits in four innings of work. He also struck out one, walked one and hit one batter.
Robert Soto then pitched two innings of relief, allowing three runs, one earned, on one hit, striking out two while also walking three.
At the plate, Ryan Jacob and Sabatte each had two hits for San Benito, which is now 0-1 on the season.
The Balers will be back in action on Monday to open the Mike Hazlett Tournament at Santa Clara’s Washington Park. San Benito will open the tournament against Mitty at 7:30 p.m.
“It doesn’t get any easier. But it will be really good for us to face a really good caliber team,” Bugg said. “But if we play our game, we’ll be able to play anybody.”
SB 000 000 2 — 2 7 2
VC 110 021X — 5 4 0
