HOLLISTER
The Lady ‘Balers shut out both Salinas (3-0 W) and Everett Alvarez (4-0 W) last week behind a combined 14 innings of work from starting pitcher Marisa Ibarra, who allowed three hits and struck out 21 batters she faced.
Last Tuesday at Salinas, in a game that was scoreless into the fourth inning, Jessica Vest connected on an RBI single to break the tie and later scored on a throwing error, while Jessica Steigleman sacrificed Bre Fata home in the following frame to make it 3-0 Lady ‘Balers. JC Clayton later followed with an RBI single for a four-run cushion.
San Benito started the scoring sooner in their game against Alvarez, jumping on the Eagles for three runs in the first three innings, including a sacrifice from Fata that scored Clayton and an RBI single from Vest in the third.
At the Charlie Miguel Invitational, the Lady ‘Balers went 3-1 with pool-play victories over Evergreen Valley (3-1), Los Gatos (7-0) and Valley Christian (13-0) before falling 4-1 to Piedmont Hills in bracketed play.
San Benito easily defeated visiting Alisal 15-0 Monday in Hollister. Results from the game will be posted later today.
The Lady ‘Balers will visit Notre Dame Wednesday in Salinas.
JV Note:
The San Benito junior varsity softball team remains perfect on the year in Tri-County Athletic League play after scoring victories against Salinas and Alvarez last week, and even compiled a 3-0 record at a tournament at Notre Dame last weekend.
The Lady ‘Balers opened the tourney defeating King City by the 10-run rule, then followed with a 5-3 win against Mitty before wrapping up the weekend with a 9-0 shutout of North Monterey County.
“The girls played an excellent game on Saturday morning against Mitty,” assistant coach Rebecca Gutierrez said. “They were aggressive at the plate and played strong defense.”
San Benito’s 3-0 record puts them in Pool A when the tournament continues on April 4.
Prior to the tournament, San Benito defeated Everett Alvarez 11-0 in five innings.
Stephanie Young had eight strikeouts as she completed a no-hitter, and even connected for a hit at the plate. Gina Norman’s six-RBI performance included a home run and a double. Also getting hits for the Balers were: Taylor Wood, Megan Flores, Kritter Ceglia and McKenna Phelps.
San Benito started the week with a 4-1 win against Salinas in the TCAL opener.
Kelly Bambrick led off the first inning with a triple to right field and with an overthrow scored to give the ‘Balers the lead.
In the fourth inning, Taylor Wood walked and Bambrick had a base hit. With two runners on, Victoria Bustamante hit a two-RBI double to give the ‘Balers a 3-0 lead. In the fifth inning with bases loaded, Carly DiDominico hit a base hit to right field scoring a run, giving the Balers a 4-0 lead.
In the same inning, the Salinas Vikings scored their sole run.
The Lady ‘Balers played in the Watsonville tournament on March 14 and went 2-0-2. They tied Carmel and Carlmont and beat King City and Cupertino.
