Pacific Grove rallies, but San Benito prevails in tournament
finale
Hollister – San Benito survived a wild final three innings and remained unbeaten on the baseball season with an 11-7 victory Wednesday over visiting Pacific Grove in the conclusion of the Pacific Grove Coast Classic.
After taking a 6-0 lead after two innings, the Haybalers watched it nearly all evaporate before recovering for the win that allowed them to go 4-0 in their season-opening tournament.
“I thought we were going to put this one away,” San Benito coach Michael Luna said. “We had guys in scoring position to break it wide open.”
The Breakers (0-3) put themselves back in contention with a four-run fifth inning, getting run-scoring doubles from Jaycob Corn, Andrew Boggan and Matt DiPietro to make it 6-4.
The ‘Balers got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth when Kevin Medeiros – making his season debut – doubled and Ronnie Fhurong singled him home.
But Pacific Grove came roaring back again in the sixth off San Benito pitcher Miles Sanchez, putting two runners aboard on a leadoff walk and a hit by pitch. Breakers’ leadoff hitter Ferny Cabral then rifled a shot down the first base line that rolled deep into the outfield for a two-run triple to make it 7-6.
“Miles just got a little tired. I left him in a little longer than I should have,” Luna said. “But we’re so thin on pitching I tried to go with him for as long as possible.”
After a two-out walk put runners on the corners, sophomore Kyle Zozaya took the mound for the ‘Balers and got Boggan to fly out to right field.
In the bottom half of the inning, San Benito regained its insurance, scoring four runs on one hit and a pair of Pacific Grove errors to make it 11-6.
The Breakers made some noise to start the seventh with a leadoff double and an RBI single, but Zozaya induced a double play grounder and recorded a strikeout to earn the save.
Mike Garcia got the start for the ‘Balers and pitched three scoreless innings for the win. Zach Canez was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Fhurong was also 2-for-4, including a double, and leadoff hitter Justin Andrade had four productive plate appearances, walking twice, getting hit by a pitch and laying down a sacrifice bunt.
San Benito continues its preseason with a non-league showdown at noon today against Santa Teresa, which ended the ‘Balers season last year with a 5-1 win in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Pacific Grove 000 042 1 – 7 10 5
San Benito 330 014 x – 11 7 1
Sublett, Snyder (2), Mares (5) and Corn, DiPietro (5). Garcia, Sanchez (4), Zozaya (6) and Sanchez, Zozaya (4), Garcia (6). WP – Garcia (1-0), LP – Sublett. S – Zozaya (1).
RBI – Canez (SB) 2, Haggett (SB), Medeiros (SB), Fhurong (SB), Gonzales (SB), Cabral (PG) 2, DiPietro (PG) 2, J. Corn (PG), Boggan (PG). 2B – Medeiros (SB), Fhurong (SB), Sanchez (SB), J. Corn (PG), Boggan (PG), DiPietro (PG). 3B – Cabral (PG).
