It took the San Benito High baseball exactly two pitches to get
a runner into scoring position against Salinas on Wednesday.
Hollister – It took the San Benito High baseball exactly two pitches to get a runner into scoring position against Salinas on Wednesday.
And the Haybalers capitalized on Karson Klauer’s lead-off double, which came on an 0-1 pitch from Salinas starter Andy Castro. The Hollister third baseman easily scored later in the inning to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
It would prove to be all the offense the Balers needed as starting pitcher Jason Sims was lights out over the course of seven innings, pitching a complete-game shutout with eight strikeouts and only four hits allowed.
“He was pretty darn good today,” said Hollister head coach Michael Luna of Sims. “He could smell it that last inning and he wanted to get (the complete game). And we needed that from him.”
Sims’ arm, coupled with solid play after solid play from the Baler defense, had the Cowboys on their heels afternoon. The only real jam Hollister’s Sonoma-State bound right-hander saw all day came in the second inning. Mike Blueford was up first for Salinas and he managed to reach first with a well-hit single.
Blueford was caught trying to advance to third later in the inning but the cowboys were still threatening as Jojo Hernandez reached on a walk and then made it all the way to third.
But the Baler defense came through for Sims when Klauer made a great play on a grounder to third with two outs down, gunning a hard-hit ball over to first to end the inning.
Sims returned the favor by allowing only two hits the rest of the way.
“The walks bugged me,” said Sims after the game. “I’ve got to get those down. But it feels good to go the whole game and get the win.”
The Haybalers continued to put pressure on the Salinas defense later in the game. They were making good contact with the majority of their at-bats and the Cowboys were forced to work hard to keep Hollister out of scoring position.
But in the fifth, the Balers got their insurance run.
Gabe Gaitan made his way over to first base after being hit by a Castro pitch and then showed off his wheels by stealing second.
More Gaitan speed was on display moments later when a bad pickoff throw from the Salinas catcher made it past the second baseman. Gaitan took off the instant the ball missed its mark and broke for home plate.
The play at home was close but the Cowboys’ catcher couldn’t handle the throw at the plate and Gaitan scored to put Hollister up 2-0.
“The guys just rode (Sims’) back today,” Luna said. They knew he was on. It was good to see him out there in the last inning. I was also very pleased with the way we stayed aggressive at the plate. It was a good win for us.”
