Canez-Klauer clan thrilled to be on the same diamond at San
Benito High
Karson connects on a pitch. Zach takes a stab at a grounder. Kolton catches a fly ball. And Breyon unfurls an offering to the plate.
The site was the Klauer residence where a wiffle ball game was underway nearly fourteen years ago. But the site is also many a baseball field in the Bay Area, and in particular, it is the varsity diamond at San Benito High.
For the Klauer and Canez brothers, the sport they love has come full circle. For the first time since those wiffle and tee ball days, all four players are on the same team – the Haybaler varsity squad.
Sharing the San Benito dugout this season is made all the sweeter because this foursome goes beyond two pairs of brothers playing together. Karson and Kolton Klauer and Breyon and Zach Canez are linked by blood, as well as by ‘Baler red. The Klauers’ father, Kraig, and the Canezes’ mother, Terri, are siblings, making the sets of brothers cousins.
And best of all, all four have played prominent roles as San Benito has raced to a 17-3 overall record and first place in the Tri-County Athletic League.
“It’s awesome,” said Kolton Klauer, a junior outfielder. “To have us four on the same team, it’s all fun, all the time, no matter what the situation is.”
The man in the enviable position of molding these four talents into the framework of his team also understands that the players are making the most of this unique opportunity.
“I’m sure it’s special for them,” San Benito head coach Michael Luna said, “especially the younger brothers getting to play with their older siblings.”
‘Balers pitcher/first baseman Breyon Canez said sharing his senior season with brother Zach, 16, and cousins Karson and Kolton has been a dream come true.
“I can’t imagine it anyway else,” Breyon related.
THE BARN
The cousins convene often at the Klauers’ barn. Inside lies a batting cage, the sanctuary where the players hone their skills at the plate.
“We work on swings out there,” Karson Klauer said. “Whoever had the bad day will just go out there, get their work in and fix it.”
Karson, the ‘Balers’ No. 3 hitter, not only has the respect of the TCAL pitchers whose offerings he has been tearing up all season. He also has the admiration of his brother and cousins.
With a .515 batting average in league play, Karson has clubbed three home runs and seven doubles, and leads San Benito with 20 RBIs as the ‘Balers sit atop the TCAL standings at 11-1.
“Karson’s always helping me out with my swing because he’s the best hitter,” said Breyon, no slouch himself with a .388 average, six extra-base hits and seven RBIs in league games.
Whether the foursome is practicing with the rest of the ‘Balers or taking some hacks in the barn, Karson said having his younger brother and the Canezes at his side has made baseball even more fun.
“It lightens it up a little bit,” Karson shared, “because you know you can joke around a little easier with family than you can with anyone else.”
Though each cousin professes to let the others sort out any hitting difficulties on their own, Kolton Klauer said some good-natured barbs are sure to come from his older brother after a long day at the plate.
“If I go 0-for-4 during a game, I hear, ‘C’mon, you’ve got to hit the ball,'” Kolton related. “I go, ‘Oh, shut up.'”
BIG BROTHER
WWBD. The four letters are written under the bill of Zach Canez’s cap.
‘What Would Breyon Do?’
Zach, one of two sophomores playing on the San Benito varsity this season, has quite a role model in his older brother. As does his cousin Kolton.
Though the ‘Balers have flourished on the diamond this season because of contributions up and down their deep roster, at the heart of the team’s success lie Karson Klauer and Breyon Canez.
The two seniors, both returning All-TCAL selections, are well on their way to exceeding their previous accomplishments, and are intent on taking the team to greater heights as well. The formidable lefty-righty punch in the No. 2 and 3 slots in the batting order has spearheaded San Benito’s league-leading offense. With a combined eight home runs, opposing pitchers know that either batter can change the complexion of the game with one swing.
As solid as his batting has been, Breyon has made an even bigger contribution in his role as the team’s ace. Simply put, when Breyon takes the hill, the ‘Balers know that it’s a winning day. The left hander has run his record to a perfect 6-0 on the season while compiling a minuscule 1.80 ERA. In 35 innings, Breyon has struck out 33 batters and issued just seven walks.
Speaking to his brother’s success and the example Breyon sets, Zach said, “He’s done everything before me, so I just need to look to him to see how to get out of this situation.
“What would Breyon do to get a hit? What would Breyon do to succeed in this situation?”
Kolton Klauer looks to Karson in much the same way.
“He’s a leader,” Kolton said of Karson. “He’s a good leader. He’s always there to tell you how to react to all kinds of situations.”
Luna, the San Benito head coach, doesn’t even want to think about where his team would be without the standout senior duo.
“With Breyon and Karson, they have such outstanding leadership qualities,” Luna said. “We definitely wouldn’t be in first place without them. Karson’s just dominant offensively and Breyon’s giving us a chance to win every single time he steps on the mound.”
FILLING BIG SHOES
Playing on the same team as their star older brothers could very well have left Kolton and Zach lost in the mix, distant afterthoughts in the wake of the superior efforts coming from their very household. But it hasn’t.
Kolton began the season as the team’s leadoff hitter and left fielder, and drew his coach’s praise for his defensive prowess and the way he plays the game.
“He’s probably our best defensive player in the outfield,” Luna said of Kolton. “His baseball IQ or baseball savvy is up there, one of the best.”
Meanwhile, Zach, a pitcher and infielder, has already started to blossom as the ‘Balers strive to lock up the TCAL championship. The sophomore, rotating between starting on the mound and entering later in the game as a reliever, has compiled a 4-0 record with three saves. In 20 innings, the right hander has struck out 22 batters and walked six.
Zach spoke of the mindset he brings to every practice and game in his first varsity season.
“I’m a sophomore, but you have to prove you’re good enough to hang with these big guys,” Zach said.
Luna loves the results Zach has posted despite the player’s youth, and is even more excited with what is likely to come next year.
“He’s doing a tremendous job,” Luna said. “He’s probably going to be our No. 1 or No. 2 starter next year as a junior. He’s going to win a lot of games next year.”
As for Kolton Klauer’s potential, the San Benito coach noted, “He has outstanding speed, he’s very smart and … whether it’s in the leadoff spot or maybe No. 3, he’s going to be our guy next year.”
With this being the final campaign for their older brothers, as well as several other prominent ‘Balers, Zach knows that he and Kolton will be thrust into a much different role next season. And he has a pretty good idea of who they should try to emulate.
“(Kolton) is going to have to try to do what Karson does as a leader today and I’m going to have to try to do what Breyon does,” Zach noted. “It’s basically just filling their shoes.”
ALL TOGETHER
Even away from the baseball field, these four love being around each other. Whether it’s meeting up at one of their houses on the weekend or heading into town to grab a bite to eat, Breyon, Karson, Kolton and Zach have a bond that transcends baseball.
But the Canez-Klauer foursome recognizes that playing varsity for the Haybalers is a unique opportunity. And all four want to make sure to enjoy this rare opportunity to its fullest.
For Karson, the highlight of the year came in a recent home game against Gilroy. In the fourth inning of a runaway victory over the rival Mustangs, Kolton came to the plate with two runners on and crushed a three-run home run. Then Breyon, the next batter, followed with a solo shot to right. Finally, Karson trotted to the plate in a bid to hit back-to-back-to-back homers, but narrowly missed with a warning-track flyout to center.
The Canez brothers have formed an effective 1-2 punch on the mound, with Breyon starting and then handing over the ball to his younger brother in a save opportunity. But against Harbor on Tuesday, the Canezes reversed their roles. Zach started and put the team in position for the win, and it was Breyon who came in to lock up the save. Despite facing a bases-loaded jam with two outs in the seventh, Breyon induced a groundout to pick up his first save of the season in San Benito’s 5-4 win.
As the team continues its pursuit of the TCAL championship and attempts a deep run in the Central Coast Section playoffs, the cousins couldn’t be happier they are all on the same squad.
“We’re all so closely bonded that, no matter what happens, we just have this niche,” Kolton said.
And the joy that the foursome brings to San Benito is something the ‘Balers’ head coach admires.
“Those four guys don’t want to leave the field,” Luna said. “If we had lights, they’d still be out there.”
A dream come true? No question, said Breyon.
“It’s pretty much a Cinderella season right now,” Breyon concluded. “We’re all together. We’re all playing together. It’s just great.”
