Thursday’s contest against Soquel postponed
The San Benito baseball team, one week after picking up their 2008 season against Valley Christian, picked up their first win against Pacific Grove on Wednesday in the Coast Classic Tournament.
The Haybalers upended the Breakers 5-1, with pitcher Miles Sanchez throwing four strong innings, and allowing one run on three hits. He struck out four.
In relief, Steve Cabral hurled two shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts.
“Both [Sanchez] and Cabral were outstanding,” coach Mike Luna said. “No walks.”
Pacific Grove’s lone run was unearned.
Trevor Fabing led the ‘Balers at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, knocking in an RBI on two singles. Abel Jacquez and Cabral each plated a run with a sacrifice.
San Benito, which held a 2-1 lead early in the game, scored three times in the fifth to open up a comfortable lead.
San Benito was slated to play Soquel on Thursday at San Benito High School, but inclement weather postponed the contest. Luna said Soquel is scheduled to play at a tournament in Hawaii next week, so no make-up date has been announced.
Due to the heavy rains forecasted for this weekend, San Benito’s next game against Scotts Valley, scheduled for noon on Saturday at SBHS, is in the process of being switched to Friday. However, no official word has been made.
Last week, the ‘Balers opened the season against Valley Christian, which defeated San Benito in the Central Coast Section Division I final last season.
With a pair of runs in each of the third and fourth innings, though, Valley Christian went on for a 5-3 win over the Haybalers.
“It gives us a good idea of where we’re at this early in the season,” Luna said. “When you play good teams, they’ll exploit your weaknesses. That’s the biggest reason why you want to play good teams. If you have any weaknesses, you’ll find out real soon.”
Nathan Hopkins provided all the offense for San Benito, hitting a 2-run homer in the fourth and knocking in a 2-out RBI in the sixth.
Sanchez was on the mound for San Benito, and Luna said he pitched well enough for the team to win.
The ‘Balers, trailing 5-3 in the seventh, put two men on with no outs, but couldn’t convert and fell by the same score.
“We made three errors and you can’t make mistakes against quality teams and expect to win,” Luna said.
While poor weather may affect San Benito’s game against Scotts Valley, they’re scheduled to kick off the Wilcox Mike Hazlett tournament on Monday night. San Benito will open the tourney against Santa Clara at Washington Park (Santa Clara) at 7:30 p.m.
SB 000 201 0 – 3 6 2
VC 002 201 0 – 5 8 0
M. Sanchez and K. Zozaya; Kupbens, Carroll and n/a. W – Kupbens. Sv – Carroll. L – M. Sanchez, 0-1. HR – N. Hopkins (1).
SB 020 030 0 – 5 3 0
PG 001 000 0 – 1 3 0
M. Sanchez, S.Cabral and K.Zozaya; A. Corn and n/a. W – M. Sanchez, 1-1. L – A. Corn. HR – none.
