San Benito avenges last season’s playoff loss by routing Santa
Teresa
Hollister – The San Benito baseball team remained undefeated on the season with a surprisingly easy 13-0 win over visiting Santa Teresa.
“Santa Teresa plays in a very competitive league and is very well-coached,” Haybalers coach Michael Luna said of the Saints, who play in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mount Hamilton Division. “I thought this would be a real close game for us.”
The last time the teams met was in the Central Coast Section playoffs, and San Benito lost a 5-1 decision in the second-round game as its season came to an end.
This one was a far cry from that. The ‘Balers scored four runs in the first, then made it a laugher with nine in the third inning and the game ended after the top of the fifth due to the 10-run rule.
Despite all the scoring, the bats were still relatively quiet for San Benito, although its patience ruled the day. The ‘Balers had a combined 12 batters reach on walks or hit by pitches.
“Santa Teresa also made 6 errors, which is very uncharacteristic for them,” Luna said.
Ronnie Fhurong took the hill for San Benito and had a strong outing, allowing two singles over three innings of work.
“I was really pleasantly surprised by how well Ronnie Fhurong threw,” Luna said. “The way he threw today, he can definitely help us.”
Justin Andrade pitched a scoreless fourth inning and Wade Jacobson – a call-up from the junior varsity team – threw an efficient scoreless fifth inning.
“I think he threw five pitches that innings,” Luna said of Jacobson. “He was impressive.”
Bryan Scott helped provide some of the offense with a two-run double in the first inning. Kevin Burley also came off the bench and smashed a two-run double in the big third inning.
The ‘Balers busy early season schedule continues today in the Wilcox Mike Hazlett Tournament, where San Benito will play a pair of games at Valley Christian High in San Jose. The ‘Balers face Harbor at 9:30am and follow by taking on Valley Christian at 3:30pm – a team that features two future Division I college arms.
“The real test comes tomorrow against Valley Christian,” Luna said. “I thought Santa Teresa would be the best team we had played so far, but we weren’t pressed at all. We’re still trying to find out just out how good or bad we are.”
