If your going to win your first Central Coast Section title in
school history, you figure you’re going to have to play the best
team out there.
San Jose – If your going to win your first Central Coast Section title in school history, you figure you’re going to have to play the best team out there.
That’s what No. 3 seed San Benito (29-8) will be up against when it squares off against top-seeded Valley Christian (32-4) at 7pm today at San Jose Municipal Stadium.
“We love to play the best,” said Haybalers coach Michael Luna, who has made a habit of scheduling top-level competition in non-league games and tournaments. “They’re an outstanding team. We have to play near flawless baseball to beat them. They do everything very, very well.”
San Benito faced Valley Christian twice this season in the Wilcox Mike Hazlett Tournament, falling 5-0 in the opener of the tournament before being routed 9-2 in the championship game.
“We’ve got to keep our mistakes to a minimum,” Luna said of the key to beating the Warriors. “We’ve got to keep them to almost zero.”
After rolling to mercy-rule victories in their first two playoff games, Valley Christian was tested Wednesday against Gilroy. The Warriors left 12 runners on base and blew multiple opportunities to put the game away.
They never did and Gilroy made them pay when they scored in the top of the sixth to tie the game. But Valley Christian stormed right back with two in the bottom of the sixth to win, giving it a chance to face the ‘Balers for the third time this season.
And with the pair of wins already against San Benito, the Warriors like their chances, but aren’t getting overconfident.
“We know we can’t go into the game too confident,” said Valley Christian pitcher/first baseman and cleanup hitter Jonathan Hughes, who got the win against Gilroy. “But we know we’re capable of beating them.”
San Benito is coming off a 8-0 win over Santa Teresa that, for most of the game, was closer than the final score indicated.
Luna has slated senior Michael Garcia to get the start against Valley Christian. Garcia is 6-1 on the season with a 3.45 ERA. His lone loss came in the first matchup with Valley Christian, but he also pitched a scoreless frame in the 9-2 defeat.
“Garcia will get the ball to start and then we’ll go from there,” Luna said. “Everyone else will be available.”
The Warriors are expected to counter with Cal-bound ace Kevin Miller.
