Despite winning seven consecutive league championships and back-to-back berths in the Central Coast Section title game, the San Benito baseball team knows its first step is simple: Beat Palma.
And two games into the season’s three-game series, the Balers are doing just that in commanding fashion. San Benito outscored the Chieftains 13-1 in two games to pull to a two-game lead in the Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division standings.
“This is very big,” SBHS head coach Billy Aviles said. “Any time we play Palma it’s usually a heavyweight fight. It’s usually us or them for the championship. Anytime you can take two from Palma right off the bat, that’s huge.”
And the victories were statements for the Balers, who hold a CCS public-school best 16-3 record. The Balers never trailed and limited the potent Chieftains to a combined seven hits.
The week started well for San Benito with a 5-1 victory on Thursday, but it was Friday where the Balers truly made their mark. Lefty Rob Soto made his first start of the season and was dominant at times. In three innings on the mound, Soto struck out six Chieftains and allowed only one baserunner – a walk.
“Rob Soto was huge,” Aviles said. “He is starting to come back and if we can get him dialed in … we are going to be very good. Our pitching staff has been stellar all year long from top to bottom. They’ve done a great job for us.”
In 10 league games, the Balers’ pitchers have allowed only 15 earned runs, while striking out 59 batters in 67 innings. Starters are a combined 8-1. Junior pitcher Hunter Hayworth and senior Conner Menez have combined for five wins. Menez has been dominate in league games this spring, striking out 20 batters in 20 innings. He has allowed only 10 hits.
“Our goal is to win every pitch of every inning,” SBHS head coach Billy Aviles said. “I’m very happy with the way the team is coming together right now.”
In Friday’s win, Soto didn’t just contribute on the mound. At the plate, the senior went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, a double and an RBI. Overall the Balers combined for six stolen bases in the win.
The Balers’ Josh George had perhaps the games biggest hit, blasting a fourth inning 2-run home run to give San Benito a 5-0 lead. George is hitting .460 with 17 RBIs so far this season for San Benito.
“Anytime you have someone in your lineup that is hovering around .500 it’s huge,” Aviles said. “With him in the outfield, he is strong up the middle. That’s what it takes to win championships. It’s pitching, defense and timely hitting.”
George made a base-hit saving catch in the sixth inning and contributed a steal in the game. The victory gives the Balers a good chance to continue their league championship run, he said.
“It puts us in a really good position to win league again,” he said. “It’s important against these teams – to get as many at bats as we did. When we play teams like Palma, it gets us ready for CCS because teams are going to be as good as they are. It’s a really good win. We look forward to trying to sweep them this year.”
For the bottom of the first inning, the Balers jumped on the Chieftains in the victory. After two quick outs, catcher Jacob Tonascia (2-for-4) doubled over third base. Soto followed with a single to right field to give the Balers the lead. Junior Rodriguez (1-for-3) extended the lead with another single.
San Benito returned the scoreboard in the third inning when Cody Freitas (3-for-4) singled to drive in Soto from third base.
“The hitting is starting to come around,” Aviles said. “We are starting to play some defense. We are playing really well right now.”
In league play, San Benito is hitting a combined .34, while scoring a league-high 54 runs in 10 games.
The Balers (16-3, 9-1) season continues Tuesday when Christopher (5-13-1, 3-7) travels to Hollister at 4 p.m.
