San Benito's Darren Gilles connects for his second homerun of the game Tuesday afternoon as the Balers easily beat the visiting Alisal Trojans.

SB baseball tops Trojans behind 14 hits, 14 runs
So much for a letdown.
Just three days after topping Palma 6-4 in one of the biggest
games of the season, the San Benito Haybalers returned to the
diamond Tuesday and delivered a convincing two-touchdown victory
against visiting Alisal, belting four homers and connecting on 14
hits en route to an easy 14-0 win over the Trojans.

That was one of the things I was concerned about,

San Benito manager Michael Luna said.

With a big win over Palma, there is a tendency for a letdown.
But we responded the way real good teams respond.

SB baseball tops Trojans behind 14 hits, 14 runs

So much for a letdown.

Just three days after topping Palma 6-4 in one of the biggest games of the season, the San Benito Haybalers returned to the diamond Tuesday and delivered a convincing two-touchdown victory against visiting Alisal, belting four homers and connecting on 14 hits en route to an easy 14-0 win over the Trojans.

“That was one of the things I was concerned about,” San Benito manager Michael Luna said. “With a big win over Palma, there is a tendency for a letdown. But we responded the way real good teams respond.”

San Benito responded by showcasing the long ball. After Mark Hurley and Kyle Zozaya reached base in the first, Steve Cabral chased them with a three-run homer, quickly giving the Balers a 3-0 lead.

Later in the same inning, Tyler Provost got on base before Spencer Brann blasted a two-run homer that cleared the right field fence and then some. Traveling over the scoreboard and over a nearby warehouse, Brann’s big blast was said to have left many shocked and amazed.

Luna believed it was the furthest ball he’s ever seen hit out of Hollister’s home field, and estimated it traveled 400 feet at the very least, perhaps even reaching distances of 450 feet.

If that wasn’t enough, Darin Gillies, who displayed strong pitching in Saturday’s win at Palma, showed off his power bat and followed Brann’s dinger with a solo home run of his own – back-to-back.

San Benito tacked on three more runs in the second frame when Gillies drove in another pair of runs, connecting on a two-run shot, his second homer of the game.

SBHS Softball

Marisa Ibarra did it again.

The senior hurler tossed her second no-hitter of the season Monday while the offense pounded out 13 hits as the Lady Balers shutout host Everett Alvarez 7-0 in Salinas.

Ibarra, who threw a no-no earlier this season against Burlingame, hurled the seven-inning shutout while striking out 10 Alvarez batters.

With the San Francisco State-bound Ibarra in complete control from start to finish, San Benito pocketed all the run support it’d need to get the win in the first inning.

JC Clayton singled on to start the game, then stole both second and third base. The throw to third, however, was overthrown by Alvarez, and Clayton scored easily to make it 1-0.

SBHS Boys Tennis

Following a surprising loss to Gilroy on Monday, the San Benito High boys tennis team finished the regular season strong on Tuesday when it trumped host Palma 5-2 in Salinas.

The Balers are currently competing in the TCAL Finals at Alvarez High.

SBHS Boys Tennis

Following a surprising loss to Gilroy on Monday, the San Benito High boys tennis team finished the regular season strong on Tuesday when it trumped host Palma 5-2 in Salinas.

It was a doubles sweep – and a convincing doubles sweep at that – that ensured the Balers of victory, and brought the tennis team to a double-digit win total in the Tri-County Athletic League. San Benito completes the regular season at 10-3 in the TCAL, 11-4 overall, and in second place behind undefeated Salinas.

In a near flawless performance by San Benito’s doubles teams, Jon Rudolfs and Michael Jensen set the tone at the No. 1 position when they easily defeated Palma’s Jose Ponce and Austin Walter 6-1, 6-0; Conner Bray and Tony Culler followed suit by beating Nathanial Hamilton and Neil Lal 6-0, 6-0; and Thomas Parcell and Eric Johnson continued the trend with another comfortable victory by topping Mario Jaime and Scott Karamura 6-1, 6-0.

The Chieftains scored singles victories at No. 1, where A.J. Yates downed Derek Panger 6-2, 6-2, and at No. 4, where Hunter Johnson took a 7-5, 6-3 win over Austin Pan.

But San Benito’s No. 2, Mark Tobias, defeated Steven Rogalsky 6-2, 6-1, while Kyle Skinner’s 6-0, 6-2 victory over Alex Hussain helped preserve the win.

The Balers will now compete in the TCAL Finals at Everett Alvarez. The year-end tournament began Thursday, although after The Pinnacle’s press time. The second day will start today, Friday, at 1 p.m.

SBHS Boys Golf

Despite its runner-up finish at the Tri-County Athletic League Finals Monday, the San Benito High boys golf team qualified to the upcoming Central Coast Section regionals for the second straight season.

The Haybalers, anchored by Marcus Synegal’s 77, compiled a 396 at the year-end tournament, which was played on the par-71 Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel.

San Benito trailed Palma, however.

“I’m tired of saying that,” SBHS boys golf coach Reggie Synegal said.

The Chieftains, which took fourth place at state last season, shot a 371 over 18 holes of golf Monday.

Palma’s Matt Ogden was the medalist with a 2-under 69.

“The day was good, definitely a little chilly, but everybody played the best they could,” Synegal said.

“It was a little cold today so the ball didn’t travel as well as it does. But under the conditions, we could have shot a little better than than we did today.”

Joey Amaral was the only other ‘Baler to shoot in the 70’s, posting a 78, while Blake Stephens and Will Cross each carded 80’s. Nathan Winn shot an 81, while Derell Aton rounded out the team with an 88.

“All the guys had a lot of challenges to deal with today, the course being No. 1,” Synegal said.

“We just need to stay focused and stay true to the things we’ve been working on.”

Synegal feels putting will come into play next week when the ‘Balers compete at the CCS regionals at Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel Valley. San Benito compiled a 397 at last year’s CCS regional, and missed the cut by just two strokes.

Meanwhile, five members were selected all-league for San Benito, including first team selections Marcus Synegal and Will Cross.

Joey Amaral, Blake Stephens and Nathan Winn were chosen to the second team.

The regional tournament will commence on either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week for San Benito. Only the top four teams and the top eight individuals who are not members of those qualifying teams advance to the CCS Championships, which will take place the following week.

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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