In repeat of CCS title game, San Benito prevails over
Watsonville
Watsonville – San Benito just seems to have Watsonville’s number.
In a rematch of last year’s Central Coast Section Division I softball championship game, the Haybalers beat the Wildcatz 3-0 on Thursday to earn their sixth win over Watsonville in the past three seasons.
“This really gives us a confidence boost,” junior centerfielder Rachel Maheu said. “We knew they wanted revenge.”
San Benito beat the Wildcatz 1-0 in last year’s title game and had two other shutout wins over them during the season. Two years ago, the ‘Balers opened the season with a 5-3 win over Watsonville and added a 1-0 win later in the year.
“Early in the year we like to play tough games and Watsonville is always a quality opponent,” San Benito coach Scott Smith said. “Even though we’ve won six straight, the games are always close.”
Sophomore pitcher Marisa Ibarra fired a two-hit shutout – her seventh straight such effort dating back to last season – that was marred only slightly by four walks.
But through the first five innings, Ibarra was matched pitch for pitch by Watsonville’s Noemi Torres, the same hurler who allowed just one run on four hits in nine innings in last year’s final.
“We don’t get many opportunities to face a pitcher like her,” Smith said of Torres.
In the sixth inning, San Benito finally broke through by using its savvy.
Maheu led off the inning with a sharp single to right field and leadoff hitter JC Clayton followed with a sacrifice bunt to put Maheu into scoring position.
Elena Fata followed and was caught looking at strike three. But the catcher dropped the ball and Maheu got a good secondary lead off second base, baiting Watsonville catcher Andria Rodriguez to throw to third. When she did, Maheu scooted back to second and Fata raced safely to first.
“I knew that she’d rather get me out than (Fata),” Maheu said. “And I knew if I stayed in control, I could get back (to second).”
“That was very smart baserunning,” Smith added. “We pride ourselves in the little things and that was huge.”
With the out averted and two runners on, Lizzy Gatto drew a walk to load the bases with one out.
Audra Brown then hit a medium deep flyball to center. Maheu bluffed tagging up, but when the throw home sailed over the catcher, she came sliding in with the game’s first run.
Lindsay Clay followed with a grounder to short, but the throw to first was a little wide and was dropped as Fata scored. When the ball scooted away, Gatta darted home to make it 3-0.
Ibarra, who had a one-hit shutout in the title game as a freshman, struck out nine while earning the win. She started the game slow, walking the first batter and throwing five straight balls before Smith made an early vistit to talk to his pitcher.
“I usually go out and insult her and it makes her laugh,” Smith said with a smile. “I told her to relax. We like her to keep it low in the zone and get a lot of ground balls.”
San Benito is back in action Saturday in the Watsonville Tournament. The ‘Balers begin with a 9am contest against Carmel.
San Benito 000 003 0 – 3 3 0
Watsonville 000 000 0 – 0 2 2
Marisa Ibarra and Ashley Perreira. Noemi Torres and Andria Rodriguez. WP – Ibarra (1-0), LP – Torres (0-1).
Highlights: Rachel Maheu (SB) 1×2, R; JC Clayton (SB) 1×2, SB; Lizzy Gatto (SB) 2 BB, R; Alyssa Ashford (SB) 1×3.
