Returning coach Scott Smith knows the San Benito softball team
will have to score a couple more runs in games this year to win its
first TCAL title.
Last year, the Haybalers lost several close games by one or two
runs. But Smith doesn’t expect to need many runs to win games with
the defensive minded Haybalers.
Returning coach Scott Smith knows the San Benito softball team will have to score a couple more runs in games this year to win its first TCAL title.
Last year, the Haybalers lost several close games by one or two runs. But Smith doesn’t expect to need many runs to win games with the defensive minded Haybalers.
“The strongest team in the league would beat us 1-0, and the weakest teams in the league we beat 1-0,” Smith said. “If we score two runs in any game this year, we should be able to win. We don’t give up two or three hits in a row, so it is tough to score on us.”
San Benito lost three times to league championship Notre Dame by a total of four runs. The Spirits should again be the team to beat this year. But there won’t be any easy teams in the league.
“We could have beat Notre Dame last year, and we expect to beat them this year,” Smith said.
Smith was an assistant a couple years prior to taking over as head coach last year. He knows the team, and they know him.
“I’ve coached a majority of these kids since they were 10 years old,” Smith said. “We progressed pretty quickly early in the year because we all know what we are trying to accomplish. It is really a good group of kids.”
Most of the team was together on the 14U club team which took fourth in the nation. About eight players have gone to the Nationals for the past five years with the Salinas Storm.
This year’s Baler squad is similar to last year’s team that lost 3-0 in the Division 1 final against fellow league rival North Salinas. San Benito has finished second in the section two of the last three years.
The Balers lost just three seniors but have four returning seniors this year – Amy Baxter, Hillary Williams, Jenny Maheu and Liz Stewart.
“We should pick up a couple new players and be able to plug them in and not miss a beat,” Smith said. “We should be just as strong if not stronger than last year.”
Sophomore Jamie Temperino and junior Johni Kiesewetter are two players Scott expects to join the team after their basketball season is done.
Maheu, the leadoff hitter, is coming off an ankle injury from soccer but isn’t expected to miss any games. Williams injured her knee while legging out a base hit in the first game last year and was out the whole season.
“She will be a big addition for us,” Smith said. “She’s been our best hitter over the last few years. That hurt us a lot because she is normally our No. 3 hitter.”
The Balers will be joined this year by Cristen Archuleta, a sophomore transfer from North Salinas. In addition to being a versatile player, Archuleta can also pitch.
Junior Dani Hernandez returns as the No. 1 pitcher and will see most of the time on the mound like she did last year. And Baxter, at catcher, will be receiving most of what Hernandez and Archuleta throw. The different styles of pitching will give Smith some options.
“Dani is more of a spot pitcher who can drop a ball in, and Cristen is more of a rise-ball pitcher,” Smith said. “Last year, we just asked Dani to hit her spots and get kids to ground out. But this year, we will try to go for a few more strikeouts.”
Going around the horn, the Balers will probably have Williams at third base, Maheu at short, Megan Smith at second and Stewart at first. The outfield will have Rachelle Barientos in left and Julie Broyer in right.
In center field will be Archuleta or Kiesewetter, while versatile Temperino will fill in where needed, Smith said. Archuleta may also play some second base or shortstop.
Smith said he plans to carry 14 girls on the varsity team.
