It was a mismatch from the start and was even moreso with Alisal
missing its starting catcher.
It was a mismatch from the start and was even moreso with Alisal missing its starting catcher.
Regardless, San Benito put together an efficient effort Thursday and easily beat the Trojans 12-0.
“We thought it could be a good test if their pitcher (Kristal Gutierrez) was on,” Haybalers coach Scott Smith said. “But they were missing their catcher and so (Gutierrez) was having to let up a lot. We didn’t get out of it what we were hoping to.”
The biggest benefit for the ‘Balers was seeing a pair of their top hitters get going offensively. Audra Brown homered in the third inning and had a triple in the fourth, and Lindsey Clay had a two-run single.
“Lindsey Clay and Audra Brown had been struggling and both hit the ball well today,” Smith said.
Cleanup hitter Lizzy Gatto also blasted a home run, which was part of a three-run first inning. Ashley Perreira added an RBI double in the fourth, and JC Clayton and Elena Fata both drove in runs. San Benito also took advantage of 10 walks and a hit by pitch.
Sophomore pitcher Marissa Ibarra, fresh off her perfect game Tuesday against Alvarez, allowed two hits and struck out 11 over five innings of work.
Later in the game, Smith had her throwing a lot of changeups in hopes of getting the Trojans to hit some balls to third base. San Benito plays in the semifinals of the Watsonville Tournament on Saturday and will be without third baseman Gatto, so Smith was hoping to get some work in for Marissa’s sister Katrina, who might see action at third base in the tournament.
“She’s dominating the other team and she’s up there throwing changeups trying to get some work for her sister,” Smith said. “It probably cost her another perfect game. I can’t say enough about the team. They’re just not really into individual accolades.”
San Benito will face Soquel at 9:30am Saturday in the semifinals, which would be an important win for Central Coast Section power points over a likely league champion. A win could set up a game against another likely league champ in Watsonville.
“That’s going to be an interesting matchup,” Smith said of possibly meeting the Wildcatz in the finals. “We’ve played them five times over last two years and they haven’t scored on us. We’re not sure how we’re going to approach that game. The nice thing is if we can beat them both, we’ll get some nice CCS points.”
San Benito 353 10 – 12 8 1
Alisal 000 00 – 0 2 4
Frosh
