After the way San Benito beat Wilcox the last time the two
powerhouses squared off, the Haybalers knew heading into Saturday’s
matchup that the Chargers would be a little more focused.
After the way San Benito beat Wilcox the last time the two powerhouses squared off, the Haybalers knew heading into Saturday’s matchup that the Chargers would be a little more focused.
They were, and thus avoided being beat by San Benito for the fourth time this season.
“There was no way they wanted to lose four straight times, especially after that last defeat,” ‘Balers coach Michael Luna said after Wilcox earned a 7-2 win in the opening day of the Valley Christian/San Jose Sharks Crown Classic.
San Benito beat Wilcox 5-3 in the Mike Hazlett Tournament and earned a pair of one-run victories in the Santa Clara Bruin Classic, including a 8-7 victory in the title game in which the ‘Balers rallied for seven runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
But with ace junior pitcher Kyle Barraclough on the mound, San Benito – which was playing its eighth game in nine days including an earlier 4-3 victory Saturday morning over Santa Cruz – couldn’t continue its mastery of the Chargers.
“He was pretty good that day,” Luna said of Barraclough.
Wilcox used a three-run second inning off starter Miles Sanchez to take the early advantage. They added another run in the third and three more in the fifth. Sanchez, who earned the win in the morning game, got the loss in the afternoon by allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks in three innings.
Justin Andrade paced the offense with two singles and an RBI. Brian Haggett hit a sacrifice fly and also had a single and a run scored.
In the win over Santa Cruz, the ‘Balers rebounded after a three-run rally by the Cardinals to earn their Central Coast Section-best 19th win of the season.
San Benito started the scoring in the third. With one out, Zach Canez and Kolton Klauer both singled to set up a sacrifice fly by Haggett to make it 1-0.
In the fourth, Kyle Zozaya and Ronnie Fhurong both singled to start the inning. Abel Jacquez took over as a pinch-runner for Zozaya and both runners moved up on a passed ball. With one out, Jacquez scored when Kevin Burley chopped the ball to the shortstop and the throw home was late to put the ‘Balers up 2-0.
But the Cardinals answered back, scoring three times in the fourth off Canez to take a 3-2 lead.
Sanchez pitched a scoreless fifth for the ‘Balers, and their offense put them back on top. Zozaya, Fhurong and Burley all walked before Canez delivered a two-run single to score the go-ahead runs.
Jacob Eichhorn took over in the sixth and threw a scoreless inning, but left the game in the seventh when Santa Cruz loaded the bases with one out.
Ronnie Fhurong entered in relief and induced a bouncer behind the bag at second. Shortstop Canez fielded it past the bag, stepped back to touch the base for the first out and threw to first to compete the game-ending double play.
The ‘Balers enjoyed some much-needed rest Sunday and Monday and resume tournament play at 3:30pm today when they play James Logan at Valley Christian.
“We got a little energized for (today),” Luna said. “We needed the days off.”
