For the second time in three years, the Haybalers of Hollister
High must settle for a Central Coast Section Division I runner-up
trophy in softball.
SAN JOSE – For the second time in three years, the Haybalers of Hollister High must settle for a Central Coast Section Division I runner-up trophy in softball.
The fifth-seeded Balers ran into a rock-steady Monica Abbott, who pitched North Salinas to a 3-0 victory Saturday. It was the fourth straight shutout by Abbott in the Vikings’ four-game postseason run as they outscored the opposition 15-0.
“She was getting first-pitch strikes and was getting ahead early. That’s what she was trying to do,” said Baler left fielder Rachelle Barrientos, who was last seen carrying the school’s newest piece of hardware. “We had quite a season, finishing second in CCS. But, now I want more. I want to win it all.”
Hollister (23-10) had a 25-inning scoreless streak in CCS play broken in the second inning. Ashley Pemberton led off with a single off Baler starter Alyssa Baker. Baker (7-5), who set down the side in order in the first inning, went to a 3-2 count on the left-handed hitting Abbott. Abbott spanked a ball to center, which carried over the Balers’ center fielder head for a double. With first base open, Baker pitched carefully to the dangerous Alixis Villarin, eventually giving Villarin a free pass to load the bases with none out.
Dani Hernandez, who replaced Baker on the slab, went 3-1 on freshman Kristine Archuleta, the Vikes’ designated hitter. With the infield drawn way in, Archuleta bounced a seeing eye single through the box for one run as the ball barely eluded Baler shortstop Kim Dabo and second baseman Jenny Maheu, who made a headlong dive to keep the ball in the infield. Meanwhile, Jessica Blackwell, courtesy running for Abbott, tried to score from second. Baler center fielder Johni Kiesewetter threw a strike to catcher Amy Baxter and Blackwell was tagged out. Hernandez retired the next two batters on ground outs to keep the damage down.
“The key to the game was that our pitchers were getting behind their hitters,” said Baler coach Scott Smith. “We fell behind 3-0, 3-1 and had to come into Archuleta. And, once they scored first, it was tough to come from behind against a pitcher like Abbott.”
Abbott (24-6), who turns it up a notch when it comes time for CCS, was tough on the Balers the rest of the way, fanning nine and hitting a batter. She pitched to just three batters over the minimum, giving up just two hits.
The biggest Baler threat to score came in the bottom of the second. Amy Baxter’s drive to center to start the inning ticked off the glove of Vikes center fielder Calla Yee as Baxter ended up on second base with a double.
Barrientos fouled off two sac bunt attempts then was set down by Abbott. Smith opted to have Liz Stewart sacrifice courtesy-runner Nicole Burns to third, but Abbott, as she had done so many times before in her career, reached back to fan the next batter.
In the fourth, Baxter was hit by a change-up with two out and was replaced with Burns once more. Burns tried to steal second on an 0-1 pitch and looked like she might have slid underneath the tag of Vikes shortstop Rachelle Morales, but Burns was ruled out. Credit Vikes catcher Jennifer Patterson for a strong throw.
North Salinas (24-7) added two more runs in the sixth on a bases loaded walk to Villarin and a sac fly by Archuleta. The Balers made two errors in the inning, but both runs were earned.
“No lead is safe playing against Hollister,” said Vikings coach Keith Berg, who has won two section titles in his two years as coach at North High. “You can’t turn your back on them one minute. They’re as well-coached as it gets.”
The Balers might have had something brewing in the sixth. Kiesewetter was safe at first on a Vikes error. With none out, Maheu zoomed down the baseline on a swinging bunt which Abbott retrieved and threw to Pemberton at first. Maheu, who has mercurial speed, appeared to have beaten the throw, but was called out just when the Balers needed a call to go their way.
“North Salinas had the best luck today,” said Baler designated hitter Nashia Alvarez, trying to hold back some tears after playing her last high school game. “We could have won, but we just didn’t get the breaks. That’s the way it goes.”
Baler bits and Vikes vignettes: Playing their last game for the Balers besides Alvarez were Dabo and Baker. – Abbott ended her prep career with 1,306 strikeouts. She was 63-13 her final three years. – Berg, despite rumors to the contrary, stated he’ll return next year to coach the Vikes. One report had him following Abbott to University of Tennessee as an assistant coach. – Baker re-entered in the seventh inning, resuming her pitching spot.
N. Salinas0100020-371
Hollister0000000-022
Abbott and Patterson; Baker, Hernandez (2), Baker (7) and Baxter. WP – Abbott (24-6). LP – Baker (7-5). 2B – Abbott (NS); Baxter (H). 2 hits – Eisemann (NS). 2 RBI – Archuleta (NS).
