Fata’s grand slam propels San Benito to 7-0 win
Hollister – In last week’s Tri-County Athletic League softball showdown with Notre Dame, San Benito’s 11 hits produced just one run in a 3-1 loss.
Elena Fata was intent on making sure that wouldn’t happen again.
“Last week we left tons of runners on base,” Fata said. “We weren’t putting our hits together.”
With the bases loaded and the Haybalers leading 1-0 in the third inning Tuesday against Gilroy, the junior shortstop got every bit of a 2-2 offering from the Mustangs’ Patty Olvera and blasted it for a grand slam as San Benito went on to a 7-0 win.
“After she hit it, it just ignited a fire and we all wanted to hit the ball,” said second baseman JC Clayton, who led another 11-hit attack by the ‘Balers by going 4-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and a run scored.
While San Benito took advantage of its opportunities, much of the game’s tone was set in the top of the first inning when Gilroy failed to capitalize.
‘Balers sophomore pitcher Marisa Ibarra struggled with her control early and walked Lauryn Chris and Brittany Balanesi to lead off the game. After a pop out, a wild pitch put runners at second and third.
Amanda Tellez followed by grounding out to San Benito third baseman Lizzy Gatto, with the runners staying put. Ibarra then hit Alicia Reese to load the bases before striking out Olvera to end the threat.
“That was a big boost,” Clayton said. “We knew if we could get out of that, we could get out of a lot of things.”
Ibarra immediately settled down and went on to retire 10 straight before Caitlyn Pierotti led off the fifth with a single. She finished with a three-hit shutout.
No. 9 hitter Danielle Scibuola jump-started the ‘Balers five-run third when she led off the inning by blasting one of the team’s three triples of the day.
Clayton followed with an RBI single before Rachel Maheu singled and Lizzy Gatto reached on a fielder’s choice that loaded the bases to set up Fata’s slam.
San Benito added to it in the fifth when Lindsey Clay reached on an error and scored on a Clayton single. Gatto doubled to lead off the sixth and scored on a Clay single to put the finishing touches on the win.
“This gives us our confidence back,” Fata said. “This helps up keep going.”
Fata added a sixth-inning single to finish the day 2-for-3. Clay was 2-for-4 with a triple and run scored.
San Benito now has a two-week break from TCAL play but begins the Mission City Invitational at 5pm Friday at Santa Clara’s Mission College.
Gilroy 000 000 0 – 0 3 2
San Benito 005 011 x – 7 11 0
Olvera, Ortiz (3) and Balanesi. M. Ibarra and Perriera.
2B – Gatto (SB). 3B – Clayton (SB), Clay (SB), Scibuola (SB). HR – Fata (SB).
Freshman
San Benito also earned a win in freshman action against the Mustangs, beating Gilroy 13-1 in five innings.
Tiana Butler started a five-run second inning rally with a single. After Francesca Duran walked, Ally Leitzel and Lauren Adamek delivered RBI singles before Andrea Hernandez hit a two-run single.
Alyssa Abercrombie finished the rally with an RBI single and the ‘Balers scored two more runs in the third and sixth in the fourth in the rout.
Stephanie Young allowed three hits for San Benito and struck out nine to earn the win.
“Stephanie pitched a great game,” ‘Balers coach Rebecca Gutierrez said. “She maintains her focus and is consistent on the mound. The girls were aggressive at bat and took advantage of the Gilroy errors.”
