Ibarra
&
amp; Felice combine for perfect game in 17-0 romp over
Sobrato
Morgan Hill – The San Benito softball team got back on track in a big way with its 17-0 defeat of Sobrato on Tuesday afternoon. After seeing their 13-game winning streak snapped on Saturday, the Lady ‘Balers rebounded against the young Bulldogs behind the combined perfect game of pitchers Marissa Ibarra and Sam Felice.
Though the visitors’ offense was on full display, forcing the 10-run rule to be invoked after the fifth inning, the freshman-senior duo of Ibarra and Felice continued to prove that solid pitching is what makes San Benito a threat day in and day out.
‘Balers left fielder Audra Brown said what Ibarra has accomplished since assuming the No. 1 pitching role early in the season has been remarkable.
“Considering how young she is … it’s the best young talent I’ve seen,” Brown said.
Though expected, the win showed the team’s ability to rebound from a tough loss. After twice defeating Live Oak in Tri-County Athletic League play, San Benito fell to the Acorns, 7-4, in the championship game of the Watsonville Tournament on Saturday in non-league action.
The win over Sobrato (0-10, 0-7 TCAL) solidified San Benito’s hold on second place in the league as the ‘Balers try to keep pace with undefeated Notre Dame (21-3, 7-0 TCAL).
With three games left to go in league action, the ‘Balers (23-3, 7-2) take on Salinas twice and host Notre Dame. San Benito returns to action tomorrow when Salinas comes to Hollister, and then faces the Spirits on Tuesday in a showdown of the TCAL leaders.
“We’re looking the stay ahead of Gilroy’s who’s right behind us,” said San Benito assistant coach Mike Maheu, noting that the Mustangs are 4-4 in league games. “We have to at least get second place.”
Brown said that, with some important games left to play, the Lady ‘Balers can’t enjoy their resounding win over Sobrato for too long.
“We can’t get big heads because we’ve got a big game Thursday and a big game next week,” Brown said.
The first San Benito–Salinas contest begins at 4pm tomorrow in Hollister.
