‘Balers move ahead of three teams with win over North
Salinas
San Benito returned to Tri-County Athletic League play Tuesday and by the time the day ended it found itself sitting in sole possession of first place.
The Haybalers took care of business with a 14-5 win over North Salinas, then enjoyed a little help from some friends. Palma edged Salinas 4-3 and Alisal took down Gilroy 7-2, knocking both of those teams out of a tie for first place with San Benito.
The Chieftains, Cowboys and Mustangs are now tied for second place at 4-2, a game behind the ‘Balers (22-6, 5-1 TCAL). San Benito hosts streaking Palma, which has won 10 straight, at 4pm Thursday.
“(Palma’s) playing with a lot of confidence,” ‘Balers coach Michael Luna said. “But now that we’re in first place all to ourselves and have Zach Canez on the bump Thursday, I think the team’s going to be really focused into playing a very competitive, solid ballgame against Palma.”
In order to prevent itself from joining the trio at 4-2, San Benito started quickly and put the pressure on the host Vikings throughout.
The ‘Balers scored three times in the first and had a 13-0 lead before North Salinas posted four unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth.
“My biggest concern was not having a sense of urgency against North Salinas because they have everything to gain and nothing to lose,” Luna said. “It was good that we put up the three spot in the first and kept putting up crooked numbers.”
Meanwhile, Michael Garcia had his strongest outing of the year. He pitched a season-high six innings and allowed three hits and struck out eight. All four runs he was charged with were unearned.
“The main thing I was really pleased about is the way Michael Garcia just went out there and dealt,” Luna said of his senior right-hander, who threw only 75 pitches.
Offensively, Kevin Burley led the 18-hit attack by going 3 for 4 with a double and three RBIs. Steve Cabral went 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs, and Brian Haggett had two doubles and drove in a run. Kolton Klauer and Justin Andrade both collected a single and a double, with Klauer delivering one RBI and Andrade driving in two. Kevin Gonzales had a triple.
After hosting Palma on Thursday, the ‘Balers will enjoy an eight-day layoff before their showdown at Salinas at 11am April 28.
San Benito 320 314 1 – 14 18 2
North Salinas 000 004 1 – 5 4 5
