Baseball team takes the field against Bellarmine, softball team
battles Piedmont Hills, and track team looks for top marks at the
CCS Semifinals
HOLLISTER
The postseason is upon us, and that will be evident today when three programs from San Benito High School look to extend their seasons in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
SBHS Baseball
After defeating No. 16 Silver Creek 9-0 on Wednesday to open the CIF-Central Coast Section Division I baseball playoffs, the top-seeded Haybalers will return to the diamond today at 4 p.m. at Santa Clara’s Washington Park.
Taking on No. 8 Bellarmine (22-10), which upended No. 9 Oak Grove (23-4) 8-1 on Wednesday, San Benito (26-4-1) will look to avenge last year’s 8-6 defeat to the Bells that eliminated them from the postseason.
In fact, today’s quarterfinal game will mark the third time in as many years the two teams have met each other in the postseason, making it a rubber match of sorts after the ‘Balers defeated the Bells 6-5 two years ago.
Today’s victor will advance to the Division I semifinals, where it will battle the winner between No. 4 Serra (26-7) and No. 5 Valley Christian (25-8).
SBHS Softball
After it was awarded the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye in the CIF-Central Coast Section Division I softball playoffs, the San Benito Lady ‘Balers will get what it wanted: a rematch.
San Benito (24-4) will play No. 6 Piedmont Hills (21-8) today at 12:45 p.m. on Field 1 at the Salinas Sports Complex, and will have the chance to return the favor.
One of San Benito’s four losses this season was to Piedmont Hills – a 4-1 defeat at the Charlie Miguel Invitational in late March. The Lady ‘Balers recorded four errors in that game, despite starting pitcher Marisa Ibarra allowing just three hits.
The winner of the game will advance to the Division I semifinals where it take on the victor between No. 7 Fremont (16-9) and No. 2 Wilcox (20-5).
SBHS Track and Field
A handful of San Benito tracksters will eye top spots today at the Central Coast Section Semifinals, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex in Gilroy.
In the field events, the top eight marks will advance to next Friday’s CCS Championships, also scheduled to take place at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex in Gilroy.
In the track events, with the exception of the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races, the top runner in each heat will advance as well as the next eight best times.
In the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races, the top two in each heat will advance as well as the next eight best times.
For the ‘Baler boys, Evan McFadden (110 hurdles), Nik Soza (400), Ryan Shorey (400 and 200), Scott Medina (high jump), Frankie Martinez (discus), Sam Stephens (shot put) and both the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams are expected to compete.
For the Lady ‘Balers, Courtney Allen (1,600, 400 and 800), Melisah Cortez (400), Kelsey Russell (200), Melissa Castro (high jump), Sophie Coelho (pole vault), Chelsea Emilio (long jump), Natalie Becker (discus) and both the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams are expected to compete.
Check back this weekend for the latest updates.
