San Benito becomes first team in TCAL history to finish
undefeated after 9-5 win at North Salinas Thursday, seeking No. 1
seed in CCS playoffs
Salinas
The San Benito Lady ‘Balers jumped out to a 9-0 lead and eventually held on to a 9-5 victory Thursday against host North Salinas.
Manager Scott Smith was not pleased with the five-run seventh inning that cut San Benito’s lead to just four and made the game somewhat interesting in the end.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Smith said. “We kind of started coasting and it’s not one of the games you want to start playing late in the season.”
Nonetheless, San Benito completes the regular season with a 12-0 record in the Tri-County Athletic League, and are the first team since the inception of the TCAL to go undefeated.
With a 25-4 overall record, the Lady ‘Balers are in the running for the top seed in next week’s Central Coast Section Softball Playoffs as well.
With Monta Vista as the squad’s likely opponent for the No. 1 spot, San Benito will find out on Saturday afternoon where exactly they fit in.
“Ideally,” Smith said, “I’d like to be on the opposite side of Salinas High and Gilroy. You hate to play teams over and over.”
Playing host North Salinas for the second time this season, the Lady ‘Balers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning.
JC Clayton led off with a triple to open the game, and after a Rachel Maheu walk, Elena Fata knocked in Clayton on an RBI single. Lizzy Gatto followed with a sac fly and Bri Romero singled in Fata for a 3-0 ‘Baler lead after one inning.
Clayton, Fata and Gatto all knocked in runs in the second inning as well, while Gatto’s four-RBI day continued in the fourth when she connected on a two-RBI single.
San Benito’s 9-0 lead held until the seventh inning, when the Vikings scored five times to make the game interesting.
Marisa Ibarra threw 4 2/3 inning to get the win, and allowed just two hits while striking out seven. Page Miguel allowed five runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.
“We’re not hitting the ball like we were earlier,” Smith said. We’re kind of coasting.”
San Benito will almost assuredly host a CCS playoff game next week, although everything will be made official after Saturday’s seeding meeting.
FROSH NOTE:
The San Benito Lady ‘Baler freshmen softball team finished off their season Thursday in shortened yet resounding fashion, beating visiting North Salinas 22-0 in five innings.
Starting pitcher Helene Escamilla had 13 strikeouts and allowed just one hit to earn the win.
At the plate, the aggressive Haybalers were led by Kritter Ceglia, who had six RBIs and three hits. Escamilla had three RBIs and four hits and Taylor Wood had two RBIs on four hits.
“The girls played tight defense on the few plays that were hit to the infield,” manager Rebecca Gutierrez said. “The girls played well today and won against Monterey on Tuesday.
“It was a great season. We established goals in the beginning of the season and accomplished those goals.”
San Benito finishes 10-2 in the Tri-County Athletic League.
“Each girl has improved and worked on areas that they were weak in,” Gutierrez said, “but as the season went on, they continued to learn and improve as a player.
“I look forward to next season.”
