San Benito has shown it is the favorite once again to claim the
District 1 crown, so far leaving the competition with little say in
the matter. After defeating Lodi 16-4 last Thursday to open the
13-year-old Central California State Qualifier Tournament in
Hollister, San Benito advanced to Tuesday’s championship round with
a sound silencing of Tracy during Saturday’s semifinals.
HOLLISTER
San Benito has shown it is the favorite once again to claim the District 1 crown, so far leaving the competition with little say in the matter.
After defeating Lodi 16-4 last Thursday to open the 13-year-old Central California State Qualifier Tournament in Hollister, San Benito advanced to Tuesday’s championship round with a sound silencing of Tracy during Saturday’s semifinals.
Behind a complete game, two-hit shutout from starting pitcher Tommy Hernandez, San Benito cruised past Tracy 11-0 — a game shortened to five innings due to the 10-run rule.
Zack Moeller connected on a pair of hits and scored a pair of runs, while both Enrique Rodriguez and Hernandez had two RBI apiece.
But it was the right arm of Hernandez that left Tracy baffled on Saturday. The 13-year-old hurler had a no-hitter through four innings of work and a rather low pitch count to boot, San Benito manager Adam Breen said.
“The team was aware that he had a no-hitter and they were encouraging us to keep him in there,” said Breen, whose team boasted an 11-0 lead entering the fifth. “We had warmed up a couple of other guys, figuring the game was in hand.
“But the other players wanted to see if he could wrap it up.”
Hernandez (5IP, 6K, 2H, 0R, 3BB) pitched the fifth but allowed a single to open the frame. The shutout was still in tact, however, and Hernandez later closed out the inning, and the game as well.
Hernandez received all the run support he’d need in the second inning when San Benito scored six runs.
Marcus Rueda put the local 13-year-olds on the scoreboard first with an RBI single in the second, while San Benito then took advantage of four consecutive walks, three of which came with the bases loaded.
Tracy allowed 11 bases on balls Saturday.
The win positions San Benito in Tuesday’s championship against either Lodi or Tracy, with the winner needing to defeat San Benito twice in order to claim the District 1 crown. First pitch is 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister, while Game 2 will begin at 8 p.m., if necessary.
SANB — 060 41X X — 11 7 2
TRCY — 000 00X X — 0 2 2
Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars
Like their 13-year-old counterparts, the San Benito Babe Ruth 14-year-old All-Stars advanced to the Central California State Qualifier Tournament championship on Saturday when it defeated Lodi 7-0.
Coupled with its 15-7 victory over Tracy to open the tournament last Friday, San Benito now awaits the winner between Lodi and Manteca.
Lodi and Manteca played on Monday night in Hollister, although a final score was not reported at press time. Whichever teams wins, it will need to defeat San Benito twice in order to claim the District 1 crown.
Wednesday’s championship is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Hollister, with a second game to be played at 8 p.m., if necessary.
Babe Ruth 15-year-old All-Stars
The San Benito 15-year-old All-Stars remain undefeated in the Central California State Qualifier Tournament as well after a 24-0 win against Escalon and an 8-3 victory over Manteca last weekend.
San Benito will now play in Tuesday’s semifinal round against host Lodi, with the winner advancing to the tournament championship.
