Depending on Thursday’s games, Hollister could be playing for
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After dropping a pair of games to Gilroy to start league play, the San Benito High baseball team’s chances of contending for a league title looked slim to say the least.
But all of that has changed now.
The Haybalers have been on a tear these last few weeks, their most recent win coming against Salinas on Tuesday, only four days after dismantling North Salinas 34-3. And, depending on how’s Thursday’s slate of games turns out, the ‘Balers final game of the season, against Live Oak at home on May 11, could be for first place.
“The kids are very excited,” said Hollister head coach Michael Luna, in his first season with the ‘Balers. “We’ve got (Breyon) Canez throwing on Thursday and he’s been throwing really well for us lately. It could all come down to the last game of the year.”
The ‘Balers drew first blood on Tuesday as Karson Klauer led off the first for Hollister by reaching first base thanks to a Salinas error. Klauer made it all the way to third before another mistake by the Cowboys, this time a passed ball, allowed him to score the game’s first run.
Canez picked up Hollister’s second run of the day in the bottom of the second. Canez was hit by a pitch and then moved to second base on another passed ball.
Later in the inning, Geno Fata brought Canez across from second with a well-hit single.
The Cowboys tied the game in the third with a pair of runs but Hollister came back in the bottom half of the inning with three runs to take the 5-2 advantage.
Highlighting that third-inning outburst was Klauer’s lead-off double and a smash to right by Josh Torrise, which was dropped by the Salinas defender to score a pair.
The Haybalers put the game out of reach in the fourth thanks to a grand slam by Brian Rossi.
Hollister’s quest for the Tri-County Athletic League crown continues Thursday as the ‘Balers travel south to face second-place Palma.
