The Haybalers were down by eight runs in the bottom of the
seventh inning, but that didn’t stop them from continuing to
hit.
The Haybalers were down by eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but that didn’t stop them from continuing to hit.
In one of the biggest offensive outputs this season, Palma and San Benito combined for nearly 30 hits between them. In addition to the four home runs, the wind carried several balls to the fence as well. Palma opened up the game in the seventh inning and was able to win 15-9.
“I am pleased with our offense, which was lacking the first half,” said San Benito coach Derek Barnes. “That might help us second time around. We know we can hit their pitching – we just have to figure out a way to contain their bats.”
San Benito (11-12, 3-6 TCAL) loaded the bases in the seventh inning and scored a pair of runs scored on a sacrifice fly to the fence by Brett Fulgoni and a groundout by Drew Quintana. But there would be no miracle comeback for the Balers.
“They are a real solid team,” Barnes said. “You give them a couple opportunities and they will capitalize. They are not on top of the league without a reason. They are kind of like how we were last year with a lot of good senior players.”
Palma had three home runs in the game, and San Benito had one.
“The difference was that their home runs came with guys on the bases,” Barnes said. “I don’t know how they hit their first two home runs out. They were both out of the strike zone and almost unhittable.”
Jason Sims, who pitched 5 1/3 innings, took the loss despite showcasing a good breaking ball and fast ball.
In the second inning. Anthony Vasquez launched a leadoff home run over the right center field fence just to the right of the 350-foot sign.
He just missed a first-pitch fastball from Palma starter Danny Romero. Vasquez then took three consecutive balls before giving the Balers the lead.
The Balers started off strong, turning two double plays to end the first two innings after walks. In the first inning, third baseman Anthony Vasquez started the first one. And second baseman Quintana turned the other one.
“They started off hitting the ball hard, but we hit the ball well too,” Vasquez said. “We never gave up. It was an even match.”
The game remained close until late. Each time the Chieftains went ahead, San Benito rallied back to tie the game. The Balers came back from three-run deficits twice in the game.
Palma scored four runs in the third inning after two were out. Chase Della Salla got things started with an opposite field hit to right, and Jordan Casas also had a hit.
Luke Lippincott brought in two runs with a double, and Benny Gardiner made it 4-1 with a two-run homer.
In the third inning, San Benito leadoff hitter Gabe Gaitan was hit by a pitch. Breyon Canez hit a ball that the second baseman bobbled and then threw away, allowing Gaitan to move to third and Canez to second.
Anthony Synegal had a long sacrifice fly, and Karson Klauer had a little flair to right for an RBI.
In the fourth inning, Brett Fulgoni led off with a hit, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Scott Mead brought him in with a hit to right field to tie the game.
But Palma answered right back in the fifth inning with a bases-loaded hit batter and a walk to force in two runs. Romero helped himself with an RBI hit up the middle.
San Benito again tied the game in their half of the fifth inning. Gaitan had an infield single, and Breyon Canez hit a ball to the left field fence. Synegal grounded out to bring in a run.
Both Klauer and Vaquez were hit by pitches to load the bases with one out and knock out Romero.
Quintana, who struck out in his first two at-bats, fell behind 0-2. But he was able to foul off a pitch before slapping a ball into center field for a pair of RBIs to tie the game at 7-7.
Palma broke it open in the sixth and seventh innings. Lippincott hit a two-run blast in the sixth inning, and Gardiner hit his second home run of the game in the seventh – also a two-run shot.
“Luke’s hit may be the turning point in our season,” said Palma coach Phil Giammanco “We were in a little funk after the Easter tournament. We wanted to come out aggressive and not get behind in the counts so we wouldn’t have to be guessing.”
But Palma hasn’t been in much of a funk even with the four-game skid after the West Coast Classic. Coming into the the game the Chieftains were averaging a little more than six runs per game.
“You know when you come to this park, it is going to be a tough game as it is with any of the other teams in the league,” Giammanco said. “They have a lot of talent here and should have a good team next year.”
San Benito and Palma will play again Friday in Salinas.
