San Benito sports roundup

San Benito Baseball
After losing to Valley Christian in their season opener, the San
Benito High baseball team rebounded last week with a trio of wins
over St. Francis of Mountain View (8-6 W), Monterey (7-3 W) and
Carmel (9-3 W).
The Haybalers were 3-1 overall at press time. They were
scheduled to open the Mike Hazlett Tournament on Monday against
Monterey, although the contest was postponed to Wednesday due to
inclement weather, and after The Pinnacle’s press time.
San Benito has been posting plenty of runs lately, however.
Against St. Francis, Ricky Garcia connected on a grand slam and
five RBIs, while Kyle Zozaya followed with a two-run homer to push
the Haybalers past St. Francis 8-6.
The Haybalers then came right back last Thursday and followed
Tuesday’s big win with another victory. Behind a three-RBI,
two-double day from Ramiro Chapa and a 2-for-3 performance from
Zozaya, San Benito built a five-run lead before allowing a run and
defeated visiting Monterey 7-3 in Hollister.
Then to cap off the week, San Benito delivered its third win
when it defeated host Carmel. Powered by a 3-for-4 day from Zozaya,
who knocked in three RBIs, the Balers connected on three homers to
easily defeat the Padres 9-3.
Garcia and Spencer Brann tacked on homers later in the game.
San Benito will open Tri-County Athletic League play Tuesday at
Palma. First pitch is at 4 p.m.
San Benito Baseball

After losing to Valley Christian in their season opener, the San Benito High baseball team rebounded last week with a trio of wins over St. Francis of Mountain View (8-6 W), Monterey (7-3 W) and Carmel (9-3 W).

The Haybalers were 3-1 overall at press time. They were scheduled to open the Mike Hazlett Tournament on Monday against Monterey, although the contest was postponed to Wednesday due to inclement weather, and after The Pinnacle’s press time.

San Benito has been posting plenty of runs lately, however. Against St. Francis, Ricky Garcia connected on a grand slam and five RBIs, while Kyle Zozaya followed with a two-run homer to push the Haybalers past St. Francis 8-6.

The Haybalers then came right back last Thursday and followed Tuesday’s big win with another victory. Behind a three-RBI, two-double day from Ramiro Chapa and a 2-for-3 performance from Zozaya, San Benito built a five-run lead before allowing a run and defeated visiting Monterey 7-3 in Hollister.

Then to cap off the week, San Benito delivered its third win when it defeated host Carmel. Powered by a 3-for-4 day from Zozaya, who knocked in three RBIs, the Balers connected on three homers to easily defeat the Padres 9-3.

Garcia and Spencer Brann tacked on homers later in the game.

San Benito will open Tri-County Athletic League play Tuesday at Palma. First pitch is at 4 p.m.

San Benito boys’ golf

Will Cross medaled with a par-35 and the San Benito High boys golf team defeated host King City 203-254 last Thursday at the King City Golf Course.

Cross’ 35 was par on the front nine at King City Golf Course, while Justin Palmquist shot a 40. Marcus Synegal carded a 41, Joey Amaral recorded a 44 and Diego Navarro rounded out the scoring with a 45.

Baler Blake Stevens contributed with a 47.

San Benito boys’ tennis

Behind a singles sweep, the Salinas High boys’ tennis team upended host San Benito 6-1 last Thursday at the Ridgemark Golf and Country Club in Hollister.

San Benito’s only victory came at No. 2 doubles where newcomers Mike Jensen and Josh Greenwood defeated Andre Carranza and Brian Horne 6-2, 6-3.

San Benito high girls’ basketball

Playing league rival Salinas for the third time this season, the No. 1 Lady ‘Balers delivered their most comfortable win on the Cowboys to date when they cruised to a 50-23 victory in the quarterfinal round of the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs last Saturday.

Having previously defeated No. 8 Salinas 49-38 on Jan. 28 and 38-27 on Feb. 20, the third time was the charm for San Benito, which advanced to Wednesday’s semifinal round against No. 5 Gilroy. That game took place after press time.

Although San Benito’s defense was in its usual form on Saturday, holding Salinas to just three points in the first quarter – all of which came from the free-throw line – San Benito’s offense exploded in the first half and jumped out to a 28-10 lead at the break.

And it was the bigs, led by Lauren Adamek but also including Megan Halstead and Victoria Aguilera, who pushed the Lady Balers out in front with ease.

Adamek scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half, while the three post players combined for 26 points in the win.

San Benito boys’ volleyball

After starting last season 0-9, the San Benito Haybalers have kicked off their 2009 campaign with a 2-1 record, with wins over San Lorenzo Valley and Wilcox.

The Balers beat SLV in four games (25-17, 19-25, 25-20, 25-18) last Tuesday behind 40 assists from Adrian Rodriguez and 17 kills from Erik Rodriguez, then followed that win with a three-game sweep of Wilcox (25-12, 25-6, 25-16) on Monday night. Roy Powell and Brian Hawks each contributed seven kills apiece.

On Tuesday, San Benito dropped its first match of the season when it fell to visiting Willow Glen in four games. Adrian Rodriguez had 24 assists.