Behind a two-run homer from Samantha Puentes and a four-hit,
four-RBI day by Jessica Steigelman, the San Benito High softball
team moved within one game of clinching at least a share of the
Tri-County Athletic League title on Monday, easily defeating
third-place Salinas by a 9-1 margin.
SALINAS
Behind a two-run homer from Samantha Puentes and a four-hit, four-RBI day by Jessica Steigelman, the San Benito High softball team moved within one game of clinching at least a share of the Tri-County Athletic League title on Monday, easily defeating third-place Salinas by a 9-1 margin.
Starting pitcher Paige Miguel tossed seven innings to lead the Balers, allowing no earned runs on five hits, while striking out a pair of batters.
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San Benito is now 9-0 in the TCAL, 23-1 overall, and have three games remaining on its league schedule prior to the Central Coast Section postseason. One more win for San Benito will supply the team with at least a share of the TCAL crown, while winning two of its last three games will supply the Balers with the title outright.
San Benito will host Alisal Tuesday before hosting Everett Alvarez Friday for a doubleheader.
On Monday, the Balers scored more than enough runs during the first inning, when Jessica Vest and Steigelman connected on back-to-back RBI singles, staking San Benito to a 2-0 lead.
It was 4-0 in the second inning when Brittany Sparrer singled on and Samantha Puentes followed with a two-run homer.
“Another monster shot,” San Benito manager Scott Smith said. “She just crushed it.”
The Balers tacked on another run later in the inning when Steigelman connected on her second RBI single, scoring Brittany Hoff from second base.
In the third, it was a little bit more of the same for San Benito, as Sparrer walked and advanced to second, then scored following a throwing error to the plate on a Samantha Puentes hit.
It was 7-0 in the fourth when Vest bunted on, stole second, then scored on yet another Steigelman RBI single. The Balers added two more in the sixth when Steigelman had her fourth RBI hit, while Ali Ocampo connected on a sac fly to score Vest.
Salinas didn’t get on the scoreboard until the bottom of the seventh inning, although it was unearned following a leadoff fielding error by the Balers.
Smith highlighted the defensive play of Vest at shortstop, noting the senior’s prowess up the middle, making three diving plays.
“She was sensational at shortstop,” Smith said.
The Balers can clinch at least a share of the TCAL title on Tuesday when they will host Alisal at 4:30 p.m.
SANB — 231 102 0 — 9 14 2
SALN — 000 000 1 — 1 5 1
