Lindsey Clay hits grand slam on 18th birthday, powers San Benito
to 14-0 win at Alisal; boys volleyball, tennis defeat Palma,
Watsonville, respectively
Salinas
San Benito’s Lindsey Clay celebrated her 18th birthday in style on Tuesday, as she connected for a grand slam in the third inning and helped lead the Lady ‘Balers to an easy 14-0 win over Alisal.
The game was called in the fifth inning due to the 10-run rule, while San Benito improves to 3-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League, 10-4 overall.
“We really talked yesterday about how we’ve got to have fun and quit worrying on how we’re gonna do this year,” manager Scott Smith said. “This was a very important game because we saw some kids relaxed and get their confidence back.”
Freshman Jessica Steigelman connected for a home run in the second inning as well, while Elena Fata and Lizzy Gatto each had three hits apiece.
Marisa Ibarra started for San Benito and threw two innings of no-hit ball, striking out three. Page Miguel pitched the remaining three innings, allowed one hit and struck out three.
San Benito will host Notre Dame Thursday.
SB 236 30 – 14 16 0
AL 000 00 – 0 2 3
Frosh Note:
The San Benito freshman softball team did four better than their varsity counterparts on Tuesday, as they defeated Alisal 18-0 in five innings and improved to 2-0 in the TCAL, 3-1 overall.
Helene Escamilla pitched a one-hit complete game against the Trojans, striking out 11.
“The girls have a lot of potential and I look forward to a good season,” manager Rebecca Gutierrez said. “They came out and played good defense and swung the bat. They improved from their last game.”
San Benito blew the game open in the second and third innings, as they plated six and eight runs, respectively.
Alisal threatened in the fifth when they put a runner on second, but San Benito prevented the Trojans from scoring.
The Lady ‘Balers beat Anzar 10-0 on March 13, and defeated Salinas 6-1 in their TCAL opener. The team’s lone loss came to Anzar on March 20, as the Hawks won 14-3 in five innings.
San Benito will host Notre Dame Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Salinas
The San Benito boys volleyball team is in the midst of a three-game winning streak after they beat Palma in three games (25-14, 25-14, 25-20) Tuesday, and currently sit 3-2 in the Tri-County Athletic League.
With Monterey and Seaside entering the night undefeated and tied for first place, the Haybalers have since marched back into third place with their recent string of victories.
“They’re starting to get that killer instinct,” coach Luis Espinoza said. “Once they got to that third game, they were having fun.”
Erik Rodriguez led San Benito with nine kills while brother Adrian Rodriguez supplied 16 assists. David De La Cruz had 13 digs and two service aces, and Jakob Rice had three blocks for the ‘Balers.
San Benito’s three-game sweep of Palma Tuesday also adds to another streak, as the Haybalers have won nine games in a row now dating back to their March 18 win over Watsonville.
Espinoza spoke to his players coming in on putting the match away early.
“They worked hard in the first game,” Espinoza said. “When they knew it was time to get it done, they brought that killer instinct.”
San Benito will play at Salinas on Thursday.
BOYS TENNIS
Watsonville
With their previous match coming two weeks ago, the San Benito boys tennis team picked up where they left off Tuesday, as they easily defeated Watsonville 6-1 for the second time this year.
The Haybalers, which defeated Watsonville in the season opener on Feb. 26, played their previous match on March 18 against Gilroy.
On Tuesday, it was practically a clean sweep for San Benito, which lost the No. 3 singles match but otherwise cruised to the victory.
The doubles teams did exactly that against the Wildcatz, winning all three matches. The No. 1 pairing of DJ Nielson and Jon Rudolfs defeated Jose Guzman and Adrian Alanis 6-1, 6-3, while the No. 2 team of Tony Culler and Joe Frusetta beat Juan Lopez and Jose Carlos Fuentes 6-3, 6-3. San Benito’s Michael Labuguen and Thomas Parcell won their match 6-3, 6-3 over Miguel Sanchez and Josh Pitt.
In singles, top player Mark Tobias beat Javier Vargas 6-0, 6-1, while Austin Pan defeated Christian Barajas 6-3, 6-2. Watsonville’s Jose Martinez won a close match over Conner Bray 2-6, 6-2 (10-3), and No. 4 singles player Jade Kimura defeated Watsonville’s Sandro Renteria 6-2, 6-3.
San Benito will play at Monte Vista Christian next Tuesday.
SOFTBALL
San Juan Bautista
The Anzar softball team opened up Coastal Athletic League play against Anchorpoint Tuesday, but neither team walked away with a win as the contest finished 10-10.
The Hawks will host York Thursday in San Juan Bautista.
BOYS GOLF
Stevenson Ranch
Nathan Winn carded a 78 and the San Benito boys golf team finished fourth with a team score of 334 at the Atwater Tournament at Stevenson Ranch on Monday.
Both Sonora and Salinas tied for second place with a 332, just two strokes ahead of the Haybalers, while Davis took the top spot with a 310.
For San Benito, Will Cross shot an 82 and Joey Amaral finished with an 88. Zach Davis shot an 86 to round out the scoring for San Benito, while Justin Palmquist carded a 95 for the ‘Balers.
San Benito will return to league action Wednesday when they play in a Tri-County Athletic League Tournament at the Laguna Seca Golf Club in Monterey.
