Sophomore pitcher records second straight one-hitter
Sophomore pitcher Marisa Ibarra twirled a one-hit shutout for the second straight day and the San Benito softball team stayed unbeaten with a 5-0 win Saturday over Burlingame in pool play of the Circle of Champions tournament at Salinas Sports Complex.
Despite the fact that Ibarra has now allowed a mere one earned run over 40 innings pitched, Haybalers coach Scott Smith feels his star pitcher has yet to reach the level she was at last season.
“I don’t think she’s pitching as well as she did last year yet,” Smith said. “She’s throwing harder so the ball tends to move a little less. She hasn’t got her changeup yet. Once it all comes together she’s going to be even tougher.”
Tournament play resumes in Salinas when San Benito takes on Milpitas at 4pm Friday. A win would assure a trip to the Gold Flight bracket of the tournament, where the ‘Balers would square off with the other top teams for the tournament title.
Lindsey Clay, San Benito’s regular designated player who filled in at catcher over the weekend for the absent Ashley Perreira, had a productive day at the plate. She went 3-for-3 with a double.
Clay got plenty of support from Audra Brown’s 2-for-3 day and JC Clayton’s two hits, including a triple.
“Everybody in the starting lineup just about got a hit,” Smith said.
San Benito put its initial run on the board in the first inning, then added two more in the third and two more in the fifth.
Ibarra struck out eight over seven innings of work to improve her personal record to 6-0 as the ‘Balers’ record also moved to that same mark.
While the team is enjoying the early success, nobody involved believes it is anywhere near where it will be when it hits its midseason stride.
“I told the girls, I want us to be at about 60 percent and I think we’re still at 40 percent,” Smith said. “I think we’re a little bit behind, but I’m pleased with where we’re at for right now. We don’t want to peak too early.”
San Benito faces a familiar opponent when it takes the field at 3:30pm today. The ‘Balers travel to Burlingame for a rematch with the Panthers.
