Hollister
– San Benito operates under the philosophy that it expects to
win every game and will always go down fighting.
Hollister – San Benito operates under the philosophy that it expects to win every game and will always go down fighting.
So when the Haybalers were facing a one-run deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning of Thursday’s Tri-County Athletic League matchup with Gilroy, there wasn’t anybody in the San Benito dugout that didn’t expect to win.
That mindset appears to be working well for the ‘Balers, as they pounded out 10 runs on seven hits in the sixth to turn a close game into 13-4 rout.
“We don’t ever feel like we’re out of it,” said Kevin Medeiros, who homered in the second inning and pitched the final three innings in relief to get the win. “It’s a seven-inning game and we expect to win every game.”
For the Mustangs (7-8 overall, 2-1 TCAL), it was another frustrating game in what has become an up-and-down season.
“To battle all the way and then fall apart at the end is tough to swallow,” Gilroy coach Clint Wheeler said. “We’ve had a numbers of innings like (the sixth inning). That’s usually been make or break against good teams. We have to find a way to handle the pressure better.”
With the Mustangs holding a 4-3 lead and ace left-hander Jacob Dexter pitching a strong game, it was some mistakes in the sixth that let San Benito (13-3, 2-1 TCAL) back in.
Medeiros was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Ronnie Fhurong followed by laying down a bunt, but the throw to first went into the foul territory in right field and Medeiros scored to tie it as Fhurong went to third.
Zach Canez was then hit by a pitch before Kyle Zozaya delivered the go-ahead RBI single. Kevin Burley followed with an infield single before Justin Andrade singled off the shortstop’s glove to drive in a run.
Brian Haggett eventually added an RBI walk, Bryan Scott had a bloop RBI single and when Medeiros was retired on a liner, the throw to double up the runner at second was wild. Fhurong added a two-run single, Canez an RBI double and Zozaya another RBI single before the Mustangs could get out of the inning.
“They get a dribbler there, a tweener there, but that’s baseball,” Wheeler said. “You keep battling like that, and (San Benito coach Michael Luna) teaches them well, and good things happen.”
After the ‘Balers scored three times in the second – on Medeiros’ homer and a two-run single by Kolton Klauer – Gilroy took the lead with a four-run fourth.
Roberto Celestino delivered a one-double to put runners on second and third. Danny Contreras followed with a grounder to short, where San Benito attempted a throw home that was not in time.
Michael Stevens reached on a bloop single before Matt Hemeon hit a slow grounder to third. The throw to first was wild to allow two runners to score. Jacob Dexter added an RBI groundout to give Gilroy the lead.
Canez finished 3-for-3 with three runs scored in addition to pitching four innings and allowing four runs and four hits. Andrade, Medeiros and Zozaya all finished 2-for-4 on the day.
“This was a huge win for us,” said Luna, whose team dropped a 13-10 decision Wednesday to Salinas. “We had to win. With a 12-game league schedule, we can’t really afford to put up too many losses.”
Stevens and Charlie Duffy each finished with two hits for the Mustangs.
Gilroy 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 – 4 6 4
San Benito 0 3 0 0 0 10 x – 13 10 2
Dexter, Stevens (6) and Fortino. Canez, Medeiros (5) and Zozaya. WP – Medeiros, LP – Dexter.
2B – Canez (SB), Contreras (G), Duffy (G). HR – Medeiros.
