Friday’s showdown pits ‘Balers against powerhouse Chieftains;
Canez tries to shut down potent offense
Hollister – They have beaten every other team in the Tri-County Athletic League as the baseball season approaches its midway point. But San Benito and Palma have yet to face each other on the diamond, creating heavy anticipation for Friday’s showdown.
The Haybalers stand at 7-1 in league, having won five straight since suffering their lone TCAL loss at Gilroy on March 13. San Benito (11-2) avenged that defeat by pounding the Mustangs 11-1 late last month and has outscored opponents by a combined score of 38-6 during its winning streak.
Similarly, Palma (8-1) has run roughshod over its foes. The Chieftains stand at a perfect 6-0 in league play – pending the conclusion of a suspended 4-4 contest with Salinas that will be completed on May 3 – and own a runs-scored differential of 60-17.
The first of the three league meetings between San Benito and Palma was postponed due to rain on March 20, a shift that only has made the ‘Balers more hungry for their first crack at the Chieftains.
“We’ve been waiting for this,” said San Benito slugger Karson Klauer. “Everyone’s pumped to finally get at it.”
Friday’s contest will pit Palma’s vaunted offense against ‘Balers ace Breyon Canez. Canez (5-0, 0.80 ERA) knows the Chieftains’ lineup poses a formidable threat.
“They’re tough and aggressive. They’ve got some power,” said San Benito’s senior left-hander. “This is going to be the challenge of the year.”
In particular, Canez noted Jordan Casas and Gabe Arcoleo as two Palma sluggers that can change the complexion of a game with one swing of the bat.
“Jordan always does good against us and Gabe can hit to all fields with power,” Canez said. “I can’t afford to mess up with this lineup because they’ll capitalize on it. I have to be really focused.”
San Benito head coach Michael Luna gave the Chieftains’ hitters plenty of credit – “they can put up some big numbers in a hurry” – but believes Canez is equipped to give Palma’s lineup fits as well.
“He can neutralize a lot of hitters, especially when he’s on,” said Luna of his ace. “I think it’s going to be a real good match-up between our guy, Canez, and their offensive lineup.”
Said Klauer: “They’re going to come out and bang it. They have a great lineup … (but) I know Breyon’s going to hold ’em down. He always performs well in the big games.”
With San Benito scheduled to host Sobrato in a make-up game this afternoon at 4pm, Luna cautioned against overlooking a Bulldogs’ team which stayed with Palma before losing 6-5 early in the season.
“We can’t look past this game and look at Palma,” said Luna, who was optimistic that a break in the weather would allow the games to be played. “We’re just excited we can get two games in back-to-back.”
Nevertheless, Luna allowed, “We’re really looking forward to the match-up with Palma. I still think Palma is the team to beat.”
Asked the significance of the Palma game, San Benito’s head coach said, “Obviously, whoever wins on Friday … the winner’s going to have the advantage of having the hammer on the other team heading into the second and third games.
“If we can get past Sobrato and Palma, especially going through the last two weeks not getting much practice in … it should just really fuel our confidence.”
Friday’s contest was originally scheduled to be held at Palma at 4pm. Drainage concerns raised the possibility that the game could be shifted to Hollister. A decision on the site will be made this afternoon and posted in the Local Action calendar in the sports section of Friday’s edition of the Free Lance.
