San Benito’s four-run third inning is enough to beat Monterey
5-3 Thursday
The San Benito baseball team scored four runs in the third inning and held off Monterey 5-3 Thursday in what was a make-up game from the Pacific Grove Coast Classic Tournament from earlier this season.
Kyle Zozaya went 3-for-4 and Brian Haggett went 2-for-4 with a double to lead San Benito past the Toreadors.
Nathan Hopkins went 1-for-2, but his triple in the second inning scored Zozaya from first and put the ‘Balers up on the scoreboard early.
Starting pitcher Zach Canez – whose changeup was excellent, manager Michael Luna said – threw 5 1/3 innings, allowed two runs on six hits and struck out five.
Jacob Eichhorn pitched 2/3 of the sixth inning, allowing one run on one hit, while Miles Sanchez closed the door on Monterey in the seventh for a 1-2-3 inning.
“They’re a perennial league champ for the last 10 years,” Luna said of Monterey, which has dominated the Monterey Bay Athletic League in recent years.
“Every game from now on is part of our last 22,” Luna added. “(CCS) points are based on the last 22 games, and that’ll help us if they end up being league champs.”
San Benito helped themselves in the third when Canez and Trevor Fabing led off with walks, while Haggett doubled in Canez and Zozaya singled in Fabing.
Steve Cabral’s infield singled loaded the bases, and although Hopkins grounded into a double play, Haggett managed to score. Kevin Burley followed with a single to score Zozaya.
“We had a couple more opportunities to put the game away – a few scoring opportunities we didn’t get which would have blown the game open,” Luna said.
San Benito will open the Valley Christian Crown Classic Tournament on Saturday. They’ll play Los Gatos at Bellarmine Prep at 10 a.m. Miles Sanchez is expected to start for San Benito.
SB 014 000 0 – 5 11 1
MNT 000 102 0 – 3 7 0
