Behind a dominating one-hitter from Darin Gillies, who pitched a
complete game and struck out 11 Chieftains in the process, the
Balers responded to a league loss like only they know how
— by serving up a 9-0 victory over visiting Palma on Friday, a
game in which provides San Benito (14-1 TCAL, 18-6) with at least a
share of the TCAL title.
HOLLISTER
The last time the San Benito Haybalers didn’t earn the Tri-County Athletic League title was during the 2005 season. That was also the last time they lost consecutive league games.
In other words, it’s been a while.
Finding the perfect antidote to Tuesday’s disappointing 4-3 loss to Palma, San Benito continued with its bounce-back trend on Friday against the Chieftains and provided similar results like it has the last five seasons.
Behind a dominating one-hitter from Darin Gillies, who pitched a complete game and struck out 11 Chieftains in the process, the Balers responded to a league loss like only they know how — by serving up a 9-0 victory over visiting Palma on Friday, a game in which provides San Benito (14-1 TCAL, 18-6) with at least a share of the TCAL title.
“Our team always fights back,” said senior catcher Spencer Brann, who signed a National Letter of Intent on Thursday to play at UC Davis next season. “We never give up and we always come back hard and strong. This was a great example of it.”
While Tuesday’s loss only kept San Benito’s TCAL-title door slightly ajar for the time being, it did, in fact, put an end to a streak of 29 straight league victories for the Balers, including 13 to open this season. But any lingering effects from Tuesday certainly did not carry over into Friday — Gillies, Brann and Nick Acosta made sure of it.
“It was one game, but it was a tough loss,” said the junior Gillies, who made a verbal commitment to Arizona State University last week. “It added to it, added to the hype of the game. Revenge is always sweet.
“And we wanted to come out and prove a point.”
With runs scored in five of San Benito’s six frames, the point was made loud and clear.
Knowing Gillies has been lights-out this season — he’s 5-0 in the TCAL, 6-1 overall — San Benito manager Michael Luna’s game plan entering the contest was to simply plate one run per inning. And with runners reaching base in every frame, including the leadoff man in five of those innings, Luna’s plan was met with ease.
“Our execution of the short game was outstanding today,” Luna said. “We only need a few runs with Darin (Gillies) on the bump, so I was just wanting to get one run an inning.”
The only run Gillies needed came in the first inning after leadoff hitter Trevor Fabing reached base on a fielding error at second. Ricky Garcia then promptly sacrificed Fabing to second with a bunt down the third-base line, while Fabing himself stole third standing up.
Later, Nick Acosta’s flare to the outfield was nearly caught by the right fielder, but instead the bouncing ball spinned into foul territory, allowing Fabing to trot home for San Benito’s first run.
The run production for the Balers had a similar look in the next two frames as well. In the second inning, leadoff hitter Isaak Ramos ripped a single to center field, Ryan Sabattini then bunted him over, and Justin Schlie knocked him in with an RBI single to right field.
In the third it was same story, but with a twist. Garcia led off with a drag bunt to reach first base, while Mark Hurley then bunted him into scoring position. But instead of a base knock this time, Spencer Brann took a hanging curve ball and delivered a no-doubt-about-it blast to deep center field, his second home run of the season.
Brann then shortened the tape measure on his following hit when he laid down a suicide squeeze in the fifth inning, scoring Hurley from third base.
“I told Spencer we may squeeze with you, so he knew what we were thinking,” Luna said. “He’s done a great job of bunting in our intra-squad scrimmages.”
Meanwhile, with a five-run lead, Gillies (7IP, 1H, 11K, 4BB, 0R) started to settle down after allowing a pair of base runners to reach second base in both the first and second innings.
Beginning in the third inning, though, the junior hurler retired 15 of the next 17 batters he faced.
“Today was a little shaky,” said Gillies, who threw just 99 pitches. “It took me a while to get the feel for things.
“But my goal everyday is to compete and give my team a chance to win. These guys are gonna score runs.”
And San Benito tacked on four more runs in the sixth after Palma pulled starting pitcher Julian Larimer (5IP, 5R, 8H, 4K 0BB, 0HBP). Garcia and Acosta both hit RBI singles in the inning, while Ryan Sabattini drew a bases-loaded walk.
Gillies then tossed the seventh, and struck out two of the three batters he faced.
“I smelled blood,” he said. “It’s my job to stay in until the end and slam the door.”
Said Brann, “He’s our ace, and he’s money every time.”
San Benito will have a chance to wrap up the TCAL title outright on Tuesday when it will visit Alisal at 4 p.m. The Balers will then host two games against Gilroy on Wednesday and Thursday to close out the regular season.
PALM — 000 000 0 — 0 1 3
SANB — 112 014 X — 9 10 0
WP: D. Gillies
LP: J. Larimer
