Haybalers edge Los Gatos in Crown Classic, will see Bellarmine
Thursday
San Jose
Their starting pitcher admittedly didn’t have his “A” game, the defense committed three errors and the offense struck out seven times, but the San Benito baseball team still managed to pull out a victory Saturday, as they defeated Los Gatos 5-4 at the Valley Christian Crown Classic Tournament in San Jose.
It was the second win in a week against Los Gatos, as the Haybalers beat the Wildcats 7-0 last Saturday in a non-conference matchup.
Playing at Bellarmine Prep in San Jose for the opening round of the Crown Classic, San Benito didn’t have their best, but it was good enough to best Los Gatos.
“That’s the mark of a good team; not playing your best ball, but you still find a way,” manager Michael Luna said. “We’re still able to find ways to win.”
San Benito will advance to Thursday’s semifinal round where they’ll play Bellarmine Prep at Valley Christian High School in San Jose. The winner will move on to Saturday’s championship against the winner of the Valley Christian/Santa Cruz game.
Last Saturday, Miles Sanchez threw five innings to get the win, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out three.
“Miles pitched good,” Luna said. “He admitted that he didn’t have his ‘A’ game, but he pitched well enough to win.”
Reliever Jacob Eichhorn came in for two innings to get the save against Los Gatos, allowing just one hit. The Wildcats scored a run in the seventh, but it was unearned after a ‘Baler throwing error.
“It was probably our worst game defensively in some time,” Luna said in regard to the three errors committed by San Benito. “It was just one of those days.”
Trailing 1-0 after Los Gatos got on the scoreboard in the top half of the second, the ‘Balers answered back when Spencer Brann’s RBI double scored Steve Cabral from first to tie the game.
Cabral then supplied the go-ahead runs in the third inning, when his two-run RBI double scored Kyle Zozaya and Brian Haggett to make it 3-1 San Benito.
With the Wildcats getting one back in the fourth, the ‘Balers once again responded with one of their own in the bottom half after Zozaya connected on a bases-loaded single to score Kevin Burley, who led off the inning with a double.
The ‘Balers then plated what turned out to be the winning run in the bottom of the fifth when Ronnie Fhurong’s two-out RBI single scored Brann from second base.
San Benito, which remains 4-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League and the last remaining undefeated squad in the league, improves to 10-3 overall.
The ‘Balers will play Bellarmine at Valley Christian Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Note:
The four runs allowed is the most San Benito has given up in a game since the season opener to Valley Christian on Feb. 14, when the ‘Balers fell 5-3 … The ‘Balers drew six walks on Los Gatos.
LG 010 110 1 – 4 8 1
SB 012 110 X – 5 9 3
