For the San Benito softball team, the title defense begins
today. For the baseball team, the opportunity is now to take a big
step in making some noise in the Central Coast Section
playoffs.
Hollister – For the San Benito softball team, the title defense begins today. For the baseball team, the opportunity is now to take a big step in making some noise in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Both teams hope to advance to the CCS semifinals with wins today. The softball team plays at 10:15am against Monta Vista at Salinas Sports Complex on Field 2; the baseball team is at San Jose’s PAL Stadium at 1pm against Bellarmine Prep.
The softball team, which won the CCS Division I title last season and has its sights set on doing so again, enters the playoffs full of confidence. After winning their first league title with an 11-1 Tri-County Athletic League record, the ‘Balers (29-3) know the most important time of the season in upon them.
Last year in the playoffs, then-freshman pitcher Marisa Ibarra didn’t allow a run in wins over Gilroy, Carlmont and Watsonville. She’s been just as good this season, recording 20 shutouts on the year.
Coach Scott Smith will look for similar success against the Matadors, who are actually the last team to beat San Benito in a playoff game when they ousted the ‘Balers in the quarterfinals in 2005 with a 2-1 win.
The baseball team, which beat Santa Clara 6-1 in the first round, has some familiarity with its quarterfinal opponent, having played Bellarmine in the consolation championship game of the Serra Knights of Columbus tournament. That contest was moved to Hollister by both team’s request and the ‘Balers (27-8) used the home field to their advantage to win a wild 12-11 game on a walkoff homer by junior second baseman Brian Haggett.
In that offensive onslaught, the Bells’ only inning without scoring came in the top of the seventh when San Benito’s Ronnie Fhurong put up a zero.
Fhurong or Kevin Medeiros were coach Michael Luna’s favorites to start today’s game, as both can primarily use their offspeed pitch to keep Bellarmine – a team used to seeing pitchers with high velocity – off-balance.
While the earlier win won’t deter the confidence of Bellarmine, it does give San Benito an extra mental edge.
“It’s a good confidence boost knowing we can beat a team like Bellarmine,” Medeiros said.
If the ‘Balers get past the Bells, they’ll see either Santa Teresa or Serra in the semifinals. San Benito blasted Santa Teresa 13-0 in a non-league game earlier this season, but the Saints were the team that eliminated the ‘Balers from the playoffs last year. Serra beat San Benito 3-1 earlier this year, with Zach Canez pitching one of his better games of the season in the loss.
The softball team could see a familiar face in the semis if it gets that far. The ‘Balers would face the winner of Lynbrook and Gilroy. That game is at 10am today at Salinas Sports Complex on Field 4.
