Canez, Haggett and Scott homer as San Benito passes Palma
12-2
Hollister
For two squads that put up football-like scores in a pair of meetings last year, only the San Benito baseball team decided to continue the trend this season, as the Haybalers routed Palma 12-2 in their shortened six-inning league opener Tuesday in Hollister.
The ‘Balers (1-0 TCAL, 4-2) and the Chieftains split two games last year that saw a combined 49 runs scored, and on Tuesday, San Benito blasted three homers, including back-to-back in the sixth inning, to power their way in a game that was called due to the 10-run rule.
“We said a statement,” coach Michael Luna said. “We’re two-time defending champions. If you want to get a league title, you’re gonna have to go through us.”
Zach Canez was 2-for-4 with two RBI, Bryan Scott was 2-for-3 with two RBI, Brian Haggett was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Dane Lamanna was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Costly errors and plenty of walks certainly hurt Palma throughout the game, but solo homers by Canez in the second, and Haggett and Scott in the sixth sparked an offense that plated eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings alone.
Canez started the game on the mound and got the win after pitching five strong innings. He allowed two runs on six hits and struck out three. Reliever Jacob Eichhorn came in for the sixth inning, and struck out two without allowing a hit.
Canez got off to a slow start in the top half of the first after Jamie Vega connected on an RBI double down the left-field line, scoring Chad Caraccioli from second base.
But the San Benito ace settled down, and didn’t allow his second run until the top of the fifth.
“Sometimes when you don’t have your best stuff, you have to find a way to get it done, and he did,” Luna said of Canez. “I thought one of the keys was they ended up scoring one in the first and we came back to score three runs. I think that really surprised them.
“Good teams answer back.”
Capitalizing on two walks from Palma starter Caraccioli and a fielding error by the shortstop, the ‘Balers answered back with three runs on one hit in the bottom half of the inning. The lone hit came from Scott, who smacked a warning-track double to center field, scoring Kyle Zozaya.
After Canez’ solo shot in the second, San Benito took just a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth. But an error, two walks and a pair of wild pitches later, and the ‘Balers were suddenly well ahead with an 8-2 lead.
The inning was highlighted by Dane Lamanna’s infield single to first base that scored Trevor Fabing. But with Ronnie Fhurong advancing to third base on the hit as well, Lamanna proceeded to run to second base, drawing the attention of the Chieftain infield.
Despite the fact that Palma had two outs already, they were unable to stop either base runner, and Fhurong scored from third base while Lamanna advanced to second.
Lamanna would later score on an RBI single from Canez.
The ‘Balers would force the 10-run rule on Palma after back-to-back homers from Haggett and Scott in the sixth.
Although they came one after the other, the two homers were exact opposites. Haggett’s was a moon shot, carrying upward and outward over the right field fence, while Scott’s was a line drive, and exited over the left field wall in mere seconds.
Later, Eichhorn hit a long RBI single to center field, and Greg Huth drew the walk that forced in the 12th run.
Luna, a self-described perfectionist, said that despite the 10-run win Tuesday, there are still areas of San Benito’s game in need of improvement. Most notably, the coach mentioned a hit-and-run play that wasn’t executed completely, and another play in which a player failed to slide into a base and was called out.
Pitching wise, though, San Benito only used two pitchers Tuesday, while Palma, which they’ll play again in Salinas on Thursday, used four. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
“We’re gonna be all right,” Luna said. “Bottom line, it just sets the tone for the start of the year.”
PLM 100 010 2 6 3
SB 310 044 12 9 1
JV Note:
The San Benito junior varsity team equaled the result of their varsity counterparts by beating visiting Palma 10-0 Tuesday in Hollister. The game was called in the fourth due to the 10-run rule.
