San Benito records 11 hits against TCAL powerhouse Notre Dame
but loses 3-1
An 11-hit attack that features runners in scoring position in every inning normally produces a win, or at the very least, more than one run.
But San Benito couldn’t get the hits when it needed them most and dropped its Tri-County Athletic League showdown Thursday to Notre Dame 3-1.
“It was a good game,” Haybalers coach Scott Smith said. “We put a lot of pressure on them the whole game.”
But while the clutch hits never came for San Benito (11-2, 3-1 TCAL), the Spirits (13-2, 4-0) strung four of their seven hits together in a fourth-inning rally that proved to be decisive.
A pair of balls hit off the first produced Notre Dame’s fist two hits, and that was followed by a single to right to tie the game and another hit up the middle to make it 3-1.
“We went into the game saying we wanted to get beat, we didn’t want to lose the game,” Smith said. “And they beat us. … If we play exactly like we did today, we won’t lose the rest of the year. Today just wasn’t our day.”
The ‘Balers had their best chance to tie the game in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs and runners on second and third, Lizzy Gatto laced a ball to centerfield, but the ball was caught to end the inning and the threat.
San Benito had initially taken the lead in the first inning.
JC Clayton led off with a single and stole second. Elena Fata singled over the second baseman to move Clayton to third and she scored when Lindsey Clay grounded out.
Gatto and Clayton both finished with two hits. Ashley Perreira singled and walked three times. Gatto and Fata both had doubles.
The ‘Balers will face another challenge when they host Gilroy at 4:30pm Tuesday.
“We’ve got a real test against Gilroy,” Smith said of the Mustangs, who are off to a 14-4 start.
San Benito 100 000 0 – 1 11 0
Notre Dame 000 300 0 – 3 7 0
Frosh Result
San Benito rallied from an early deficit, but couldn’t overcome Notre Dame in a 9-5 loss in freshman softball action.
The Haybalers were down by seven in the second inning, but scored three runs in the third and two runs in the fourth to bring it within two.
But the Spirits responded with two run in the sixth to add to their lead.
Alyssa Abercrombie had a double and two RBIs for the ‘Balers, Tiana Butler added an RBI and Alyssa Cabral had a hit. Stephanie Young pitched a complete game.
“The girls did not play to their potential in the first couple of innings but came together as a team and played defense,” coach Rebecca Gutierrez said. “I am pleased that they did not give up and rallied throughout the rest of the game.”
