The San Benito High softball team has been almost unstoppable
this year
– except when playing Carlmont.
The San Benito High softball team has been almost unstoppable this year – except when playing Carlmont.
The Haybalers (8-2, 1-0 TCAL) finished in third place in the Gold Division of the prestigious 32-team Circle of Champions.
“We didn’t play our best games,” said Baler coach Scott Smith. “If Notre Dame is in our bracket and we are in theirs, I think we make it to the championship game. But we had a chance to win. Carlmont is the type of team that if you get the first run, they will struggle. We haven’t been able to get that first run across when we played them.”
San Benito lost 2-1 to Carlmont on Saturday after defeating Mitty 2-1 in the early morning game. Notre Dame of Salinas beat Carlmont 11-3 for the tournament title.
“In the years past, we would have been more than happy to finish in third place,” Smith said. “But this year, they expect more and were mad they lost to Carlmont because they know they should have won.”
Jenny Maheu and Hillary Williams were named to the All Tourney team for the Balers.
Against Mitty, pitcher Dani Hernandez gave up just one hit. Mitty scored its only run in the final inning.
Rachelle Barrientos scored the Balers’ first run after stealing third and coming home on an overthrow. Julie Broyer had a little bloop single for the second run.
Carlmont scored both of its runs late in the game after getting runners on first and second with no out. The runners were advanced to second and third.
With two outs, San Benito got a little popup behind second base. Williams went back for it, but it just tipped off her glove, allowing the runners to score.
“I am not sure who should have caught that ball,” Smith said. “But it was hit high enough it should have been caught by someone.”
San Benito answered with a run in the next inning before leaving the base loaded.
Last time the teams played, it was San Benito who had the chances to score, Smith said.
“They could have very easily scored five or six runs against us,” Smith said. “It destroys your confidence when they keep getting base runners on, and it builds their confidence at the same time. In the first game, we had base runners on in almost every inning.”
Kristen Archuletta pitched the final two innings against Carlmont. Even though Hernandez pitched both games for the Balers, Smith said it didn’t bother her.
“Normally, her second game of pitching is better because her ball moves more,” Smith said. “She has got a new pitching coach, so she is working on developing her timing and confidence. Long term, she will be fine. She is just trying to figure out how much the ball will move.”
San Benito will be at Gilroy on Wednesday to continue league play.
