The rain could slow down the San Benito softball team, but it
couldn’t stop it.
Santa Clara – The rain could slow down the San Benito softball team, but it couldn’t stop it.
After having their game time pushed back and watching two teams bow out of the Mission City Invitational due to the poor weather in the area Saturday, the Haybalers jumped on Evergreen Valley for a 9-3 victory at Mission College to win the tournament championship for the second straight year.
San Benito would’ve played the winner of the Live Oak-Lynbrook game, but those teams mutually decided to cancel their semifinal contest, making the ‘Balers semifinal game against Evergreen the championship.
While San Benito and coach Scott Smith were happy to bring home the first-place trophy, the game that featured several uncharacteristic mistakes did little to exude confidence in the team as it prepares to return to Tri-County Athletic League play at 4:30pm today at North Salinas.
“We’re not quite there yet,” said junior shortstop Elena Fata, who went 14 for 16 in the tournament to earn the Most Valuable Player award. “We’ve just got to go to practice Monday and work hard and just learn from all of our mistakes.”
The ‘Balers game was originally scheduled for 11am, with the championship game to be played at 1pm. But rain in the area pushed back the start time.
“I would say yeah the circumstances affected us a little bit,” Smith said. “But everything we did wrong we worked on Thursday in practice.”
San Benito started the game hot, scoring six runs in the first inning.
JC Clayton led off with a single and stole second base. Rachel Maheu followed with a push bunt single that reached the outfield and scored Clayton.
Fata then walked and Lizzy Gatto was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Audra Brown walked to force in a run and Katrina Ibarra and Ashley Perreira both delivered RBI singles.
Danielle Scibuola closed out the scoring with a two-run single to make it 6-0.
“After that, I think we kind of relaxed a little bit,” Smith said.
The game stayed 6-0 until the top of the fourth, when the Cougars took advantage of some rare ‘Baler mistakes. With one out and a runner on, there was a ball hit to Fata deep in the hole at short, but she couldn’t make the play and the runner reached.
The next batter faked a bunt, drawing third baseman Lizzy Gatto in as Evergreen executed a double steal. A two-run triple by Jennifer Ames cut the lead to 6-2.
San Benito quickly responded, getting three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Gato had an RBI single, Brown doubled home a run and Perreira delivered a sacrifice fly.
The ‘Balers gave another run away in the fifth. After a leadoff single and a sacrific bunt put a runner at second, the next batter grounded out.
After the out was recorded, the ball was thrown wildly to third base and the run came into score, eliminating the chance to win via the seven-run mercy rule.
“We prepared the kids prior the game and told them they do a lot of things similar to us,” Smith said. “We’re going to get back to work and go back to the basics. We’re really going to emphasize the little things.”
After taking on North Salinas on today, the ‘Balers will host a streaking Salinas team on Thursday.
The Cowboys have won 10 of their last 11 since starting the year 3-5 and are tied with San Benito for second place in the TCAL.
“Salinas is hot. That’s going to be a tough game,” Smith said. “Our goal is to get to the Notre Dame game with a league championship on the line.”
Marisa Ibarra, who is still battling an illness, pitched well enough in the tournament to earn all five victories and take home the Most Valuable Pitcher award. Clayton was named to the all-tournament team.
