The San Benito High boys tennis team suffered its first league loss to Pacific Grove on Monday, 6-1. The Haybalers enter the regular-season finale against Oakwood of Morgan Hill on Thursday with a 10-1 record in the Monterey Bay League’s Pacific Division.
Marquese Hayes, playing at No. 2 singles, was the lone winner for the Balers, as he defeated Malcom Gingras 6-2, 6-3. Pacific Grove avenged an earlier loss to San Benito and also plays Thursday.
If both teams win, they’ll play on Friday to determine the division champion. The winner then gets a match against the second-place team from the upper Gabilan Division for the league’s second automatic Central Coast Section playoff berth.
“We just got outplayed (against Pacific Grove),” Balers coach Chris Yoder said. “I think the guys were way too relaxed. Going in I don’t think they were in the right mindset.”