Hollister High visited Salinas in a Tri-County Athletic League
softball game Tuesday and it seems the Balers-Cowboys affair was
the only game in town.
Hollister High visited Salinas in a Tri-County Athletic League softball game Tuesday and it seems the Balers-Cowboys affair was the only game in town.
That was because the two of the heavyweights in the league – Notre Dame and North Salinas – had their respective games at Live Oak and at Gilroy called because of inclement weather. That brought Spirits and Vikings brass to the funky Cowboys field to take a look-see at the contending Balers.
“That was good because we didn’t show them much,” quipped Baler head coach Scott Smith.
The Balers showed just enough to edge the Cowboys, scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth to win 1-0.
Hollister (10-3, 3-1), for at least a day, has sole possession of first place. That also sets up one of many T-CAL showdowns for Thursday, when Hollister welcomes the Spirits (6-2, 2-1), coached by Joe Given, who was present Tuesday getting a bead on the Baler lineup.
“Hollister has the most talent in the league player-for-player,” said Given. “They have no weaknesses. They’re a veteran team with great team speed. That’s what separates them apart from everyone else.”
It was speed that gave the win to the Balers, who only had three singles. Kim Dabo was on first, then stole second, then third. She eventually scored on a wild pitch, just barely beating the play at the plate.
Dabo played a hand, or glove rather, in preserving the victory. The Cowboys (7-6, 1-3) had the tying run at third in the bottom of the seventh with two out.
“They hit a shot towards Kim and she went to her knee, stopped it and threw the runner out,” said Smith. “She saved the day for us.”
Smith likes his middle infield of Dabo, who has also played center, and second baseman Jenny Maheu.
“Jenny has been playing great at second,” said Smith. “She gives me so much range there. Jenny can play so many positions. Having Kim at short is more valuable to me than having her in center.”
The lone run for the Balers was the first earned run for them in four league games.
“The kids are tense at the plate,” said Smith. “They’re pressing. They’re letting good pitches go and swinging at bad ones. The pitcher today had a good dropball early and we were swinging at pitches low out of the strike zone. We have to be more patient. We were late in the game and drew some walks.”
The two-pitcher system of Alyssa Baker and Dani Hernandez combined to toss a one-hitter. Baker pitched four innings and gave up the hit, while Hernandez (5-2) worked the last three hitless innings to pick up the win.
“It’s different, but effective,” said Given of the Balers’ two-hurler ploy. “They’re really the exact opposite. On’e a drop, changeup pitcher. The other’s a curve, riser. The batter has to make two adjustments. Just when they’re getting comfortable with one, the other comes in.”
The Spirits have one main pitcher and that’s sophomore Kim Reeder (6-1).
“She’s a bulldog on the mound,” said Given of Reeder. “She has a pitcher’s mentality, very competitive. She’s not overpowering, but she’s done a great job of hitting her spots. She never gives in. She competes from first pitch to last, for the whole seven innings. That’s what I like about her. She’s also has been fielding her position exceptionally well. She’s really quick off the mound.”
The Spirits have what could be the best 1-through-4 hitters in center fielder Lindsay Schutzler, second baseman Serena Benavente, shortstop Amy Thompkins and first baseman Melissa Pura. Given calls Schutzler the “best hitter in the league”.
Given expects the Balers, North Salinas, Gilroy and his club to battle it out for the league title.
“Anyone can beat anyone,” said Given. “There are no weak teams in the league.”
