The San Benito baseball team is undefeated this season against
any team not named Valley Christian.
Santa Clara – The San Benito baseball team is undefeated this season against any team not named Valley Christian.
Unfortunately for the Haybalers, they had to meet up with the Warriors in Saturday’s championship game of the Wilcox Mike Hazlett Tournament and were dealt a 9-2 loss at Washington Park.
Valley Christian also beat the ‘Balers in the opening round of the tournament.
“We struggled again on the mound,” San Benito coach Michael Luna said. “Zach (Canez) couldn’t get his off-speed pitches for strikes and Valley Christian did a real good job of not fishing out of the zone.”
The Warriors (8-0) scored twice in the first inning, getting back-to-back RBI doubles from Jonathan Hughes and Jeremy Howard. They tacked on four more in the third as they chased Canez, the ‘Balers starting pitcher, from the game.
Hughes had another RBI double in the inning and finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Meanwhile, Valley Christian’s Anthony Kupbens was tough on the mound. In five innings of work he allowed no runs on five hits and struck out three.
San Benito finally got its offense going in the top of the seventh to avoid the shutout.
Brian Haggett, who reached base all four times he was up, singled and Bryan Scott walked and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Haggett scored on an RBI groundout by Ronnie Fhurong and Scott came around when Kevin Medeiros reached on an error.
“I liked the way the guys battled back late in the game,” Luna said.
The bright spot on the mound was Miles Sanchez, who relieved Canez with no outs in the third. He allowed an inherited runner to score and issued a walk and hit a batter, but got through his two innings without being charged with a run or allowing a hit.
“He’s been the most consistent guy right now,” Luna said of Sanchez.
While the ‘Balers have struggled against Valley Christian, the hope is that by gaining early season experience against tough teams, they’ll be more battle tested come playoff time.
“We should take something from every game we play against a team of that caliber,” Luna said.
San Benito got right back at it Monday with opening round play in the Santa Clara Bruin Classic, also played at Washington Park. The ‘Balers took on Cupertino and exploded offensively with a 15-2 win.
Luna changed up the batting lineup, inserting Kevin Burley, Dane Lamanna and Michael Garcia.
Burley and Lamanna both delivered with a pair of hits, while Garcia – San Benito’s No. 2 starter – allowed one run over four innings to get the win.
Scott provided some pop, smashing a first-pitch three-run homer in the top of the third and finishing with four RBIs. Haggett had a sacrifice fly in the ‘Balers four-run first inning and a two-run double in the second for his three RBIs.
San Benito continues play in the tournament by taking on Wilcox at 4:30pm today. The ‘Balers beat the Chargers 5-3 in the semifinals of the Hazlett Tournament.
