San Benito falls to Gilroy, 12-5, in mistake-filled performance;
‘Balers suffer first TCAL defeat against rival Mustangs
Gilroy – This was not the Haybalers’ ‘A’ game. It probably wasn’t their ‘B’ game either.
Victimized by errors, wild pitches and hit batsmen, San Benito found out the hard way what happens when it doesn’t play sharp baseball, losing 12-5 to Gilroy.
“We were not ready to play,” said ‘Balers head coach Michael Luna. “It was one of those days when our focus was not there, our intensity was not there and our concentration was not there.”
Finally playing a game that had been scheduled for a week prior, but was rained out and then postponed again on its original make-up date due to weather concerns, San Benito took the field in search of its third straight win. But the ‘Balers seemed to be off their game from the start.
After first baseman Breyon Canez was hit by a pitch with one out in the first inning, he twice missed an opportunity to advance to second–first on a dropped foul ball and then on a pitch that bounced away from Gilroy catcher Chris Hernandez. Karson Klauer followed with a solid knock into the right-center gap, but Mustangs rightfielder Kevin Grove robbed him of a sure hit with a fantastic diving catch.
Canez had already passed second base and was nearly to third once Grove sprawled out to come up with the ball, creating an easy double play as Grove tossed the ball in to first baseman Tyler Osborne to end the inning.
San Benito (6-2, 2-1 TCAL) took an early lead when Jacob Boyd and Kolton Klauer walked to open the third. Karson Klauer blooped a one-out single to center that scored Boyd, and when Gilroy center fielder Josh Sterling misplayed the ball, Kolton Klauer scored as well. Then Karson Klauer’s aggressive baserunning allowed him to score on a throwing error by Osborne, putting the ‘Balers up 3-0.
But everything fell apart for San Benito in the bottom of the third.
Gilroy’s first five batters of the inning reached base, two via Haybaler fielding errors, allowing the Mustangs to close within 3-2. A wild pitch and a walk by ‘Balers starting pitcher Ryan McFall created a no-out, bases loaded jam and forced Luna to bring in reliever Zach Canez.
The sophomore struck out Osbourne to give the ‘Balers hope of avoiding a big inning, and then induced a comebacker by Ryan Evanger that looked sure to give San Benito a force out at the plate. But in rushing to unload the ball, Canez lofted his throw past catcher Travis Ross, allowing Drew Anderson to score and Gilroy to prolong the inning.
Mustangs starting pitcher Jacob Dexter followed with a two-run single, and before Canez could get out of the inning, Gilroy pushed its lead to 7-3.
“That’s the inning that it all went downhill today,” said Ross, who also bemoaned the team’s fielding. “That’s what killed us. Once someone makes an error … it’s contagious.
Gilroy (3-4, 1-1 TCAL) batted around again in the sixth, torching shortstop-turned-reliever Sky Valenzuela for five hits and four runs to put an end to any ‘Baler comeback hopes.
San Benito finished with six hits and received five walks, but left seven runners on base.
Karson Klauer led the ‘Balers’ offense with two hits, including a solo home run on the first pitch of the seventh inning. The second baseman scored three runs and drove in two. Ross was the only other ‘Baler to get multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 with one RBI.
The Mustangs pounded San Benito pitchers for 13 hits, led by ninth-place hitter Sterling’s 3-for-4, four RBI showing. Gilroy benefited from the ‘Balers’ three hit batsmen and three wild pitches, but still stranded nine runners.
Mustangs head coach Clint Wheeler thought putting the pressure on San Benito’s defense was the biggest factor in his team’s first TCAL win.
“We hit the ball on the ground,” said Wheeler, “and that forced ’em to make some plays.”
The Haybalers will face Gilroy two more times this season, a fact that Ross was already anticipating.
“Next time, we’re gonna come beat these guys,” said the senior catcher. “Next two times.”
The Haybalers turn right around to visit Sobrato this afternoon. Zach Canez was glad his team had the quick turnaround because it will give San Benito the opportunity to atone for its first TCAL defeat.
“It’s tough,” said Canez of the mistake-filled loss. “We’ve just got to come back [against Sobrato] and get back to it.”
Luna, San Benito’s coach, hoped his players learned from their poor showing against the Mustangs.
“Hopefully this game will wake ’em up a little bit,” said Luna. “We’ll come back and see how we do.”
The ‘Balers-Bulldogs’ first pitch is set for 3:30pm in Morgan Hill.
Scott Campbell is the sports editor of the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him at (831) 637-5566 (x334) or at sc*******@fr***********.com
