Mariners pitcher Kyle Anderson throws eight strikeouts, keeps
‘Balers off balance in 3-1 win
Aptos
In one of the more anticipated non-conference baseball games this season, Aptos kept San Benito at bay Thursday 3-1 behind eight strikeouts from Mariners pitcher Kyle Anderson.
San Benito falls to 7-3 overall, with the three losses coming by a combined five runs.
The southpaw Anderson, manager Michael Luna said, will be on scholarship next year at San Luis Obispo.
“He had eight strikeouts and he kept us off balance,” Luna said. “We had a good scouting report on him, but we just didn’t make adjustments.”
Trailing 2-1 in the fourth inning, San Benito had a chance to tie the game after Kyle Zozaya reached first on a walk. But after Luna called for a hit-and-run attempt, the ‘Balers instead hit a fly ball to the outfield that was caught. Anderson then retired the next 11 ‘Balers in a row.
Miles Sanchez pitched four innings for San Benito and allowed two earned runs on four hits. He struck out two and walked two.
Jacob Eichhorn relieved Sanchez for the remaining two innings.
The ‘Balers took the lead in the top half of the second inning after Ronnie Fhurong hit a ground ball to the shortstop with runners on the corners. The play resulted in a fielding error, and San Benito took an early 1-0 lead.
Aptos, however, countered with two runs in the third and another in the fourth.
The Mariners, now 9-1 overall, have already defeated North Salinas (28-1), Gilroy twice (12-6 and 11-1) and Salinas (13-8) this season – San Benito’s opponents in the Tri-County Athletic League.
Coming into the game, Luna said he would use this contest to see where his ‘Balers stacked up against some of the top teams in the Central Coast Section.
“We’re definitely one of the better teams in the CCS and once again our pitching was outstanding,” Luna said. “I thought Miles (Sanchez) pitched very well …”
San Benito’s three losses this season have come against Valley Christian, Mitty and now Aptos.
“In all three losses, we’ve made mistakes,” Luna said. “I don’t want to say you have to be perfect, but once you do make a mistake, it’s magnified.
“We need to keep our mistakes almost to zero because that’s the way it’s gonna be in the playoffs.”
San Benito will play at Los Gatos Saturday at 12 p.m.
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