San Benito uses big first inning to defeat Trojans
San Benito exploded for six runs in the first inning and coasted past host Alisal 13-0 in a mercy-rule shortened game Wednesday.
“They were beat after the first inning,” Haybalers coach Michael Luna said of the Trojans. “I’m glad we put up that six-spot. I was concerned, I thought it’d be a much closer game. We just went at it in a business-like manner.”
San Benito’s patience helped jump-start the first-inning rally. Justin Andrade walked, Kolton Klauer singled, and Brian Haggett and Bryan Scott both walked to drive in a run.
Kevin Medeiros plated a run with a sacrifice fly, Ronnie Fhurong delivered an RBI single, Zach Canez reached on a error to score two runs and Kyle Zozaya lined an RBI single for the 6-0 lead.
The ‘Balers (14-3, 3-1 Tri-County Athletic League) added another run in the second on a Fhurong sacrifice fly and Kevin Medeiros highlighted a four-run third with a two-run double.
Luna inserted nine new players into the lineup for the final two innings, and San Benito kept the shutout going.
Jacob Eichhorn relieved starter Canez in the fourth and threw a scoreless inning. Michael Garcia pitched a hitless fifth to finish it off. The three pitchers combined to allow two hits.
“I thought Canez threw really well,” Luna said. “His velocity was as well as it had been in a long time.”
The ‘Balers finished off the scoring when Dane Lamonna hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth and Steve Cabral had an RBI single.
Medeiros led the attack with his three RBIs and Fhurong drove in two. Both players now have 15 RBIs on the season.
“Fhurong had two RBIs and he was upset because he didn’t think he had a good day at the plate,” Luna said. “He’s such a perfectionist as far as hitting.”
San Benito returns to TCAL action against another one of the new entrants to the league when it hosts Alvarez at 4pm Friday.
San Benito 614 02 – 13 8 0
Alisal 000 00 – 0 2 3
