In its first game since receiving the No. 33-ranking in the
nation by ESPN RISE, the San Benito High softball team delivered
perhaps its best hitting performance of the season Thursday when it
pounded out 16 hits en route to a 15-0 victory over host North
Salinas.
SALINAS
In its first game since receiving the No. 33-ranking in the nation by ESPN RISE, the San Benito High softball team delivered perhaps its best hitting performance of the season Thursday when it pounded out 16 hits en route to a 15-0 victory over host North Salinas.
The game was called in the fifth inning due to the 10-run rule.
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Samantha Puentes was 3 of 3 with a triple and a double, while Brittany Hoff, Mari Vallejo and Marissa Adame each went 2 of 2, with Adame connecting on a wall-ball double that nearly cleared the outfield fence.
Jessica Vest, who went 3 of 3, missed out on a single of hitting for the cycle. She hit a double, a triple and a two-run “monster” home run that cleared, according to San Benito manager Scott Smith, two fences — one being the outfield fence, and another nearby fence that was roughly 25 feet behind the softball field.
Smith surmised the ball traveled roughly 260 feet.
“We just … It’s the best we’ve hit the ball all year,” Smith said. “Just hitting it hard.”
The offense was only part of the story from Thursday’s game, though. Megan Sabbatini started in the circle for the Balers, and had a perfect game entering the final frame.
Although she gave up a walk and a hit in the home half of the fifth inning, putting her just shy of a perfect game and a no-hitter, Sabbatini pitched lights out, nonetheless.
“She pitched really well,” Smith said. Sabbatini finished with one walk, one hit, no runs allowed and seven strikeouts.
For what it’s worth, the Balers defeated North Salinas on March 22 by a far narrower 3-1 margin.
Thursday’s comfortable win, though, improves San Benito to 13-0 overall, 5-0 in the Tri-County Athletic League.
The Balers will host Salinas on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
