In hopes of lightening the mood at practice for the final two
days before opening the Central Coast Section playoffs, San Benito
baseball coach Michael Luna told the players to wear whatever
uniform they wanted to Monday and Tuesday’s practice.
Hollister – In hopes of lightening the mood at practice for the final two days before opening the Central Coast Section playoffs, San Benito baseball coach Michael Luna told the players to wear whatever uniform they wanted to Monday and Tuesday’s practice.
But when his ace pitcher Zach Canez – who will get the starting nod on the mound at 4pm today against Santa Clara – showed up in an unbuttoned jersey, jeans and Converse tennis shoes, Luna had to be wondering what was going on with his junior right-hander.
It wasn’t that Canez wasn’t there to practice. That was just his choice of uniform as he donned the look of Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez from the 1990s movie “The Sandlot.” Rather than the Dodgers jersey and hat worn by Rodriguez in the movie, Canez sported a Yankees jersey and hat and earned the prize for the best uniform.
“It’s just something to loosen them up,” said Luna, who said Canez would probably get a couple of T-shirts as a prize.
In addition to Canez, some of the other uniform choices included Bret Furtado sporting his 44-year-old uncle’s yellow Pony League uniform and stirrups and others wearing jerseys that don’t quite fit as well anymore from their days as 12 year olds.
But while Tuesday provided a relaxed atmosphere, today will turn to strictly business as the Haybalers look to advance to the CCS quarterfinals.
“They should be excited, but also a little nervous,” Luna said.
Santa Clara (16-14) was the second place team in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and coach Chuck Blair will look to utilized his team’s role as a No. 14 seed facing a third seed.
“I know (Blair’s) going to have his team fired up,” Luna said. “He’ll play the underdog card.”
The ‘Balers will look to continue to do the same things that earned them the Tri-County Athletic League title and Luna hopes Canez can continue the success that saw him end the regular season with 17 consecutive scoreless innings.
“We’re not going to change what we’ve done all year,” Luna said. “It just comes down to how good is the guy on the bump? We’ll start Canez and if he’s as good as he has been, I like our chances.”
A win could set up a showdown with Bellarmine Prep, one of five teams from the powerful West Catholic Athletic League in the Division I bracket.
“If we’re fortunate enough to win, we’ll probably play Bellarmine,” Luna said. “That can be expected. If you get to the second round, you expect to play a West Catholic team.”
