Key players return as Balers gun for a third straight Central
Coast Section title
They don’t have the greatest record right now, but that doesn’t
mean that expectations aren’t soaring for the San Benito High
Balers softball team as they continue on with their season-long
journey to win three Central Coast Section titles in a row.
Key players return as Balers gun for a third straight Central Coast Section title
They don’t have the greatest record right now, but that doesn’t mean that expectations aren’t soaring for the San Benito High Balers softball team as they continue on with their season-long journey to win three Central Coast Section titles in a row.
Currently, the Balers are 7-3 but that record is very misleading because the Balers had to play a number of early games without three key players – players who up until recently weren’t able to join up with the softball team because they had been competing on the school’s CCS champion basketball team – a team that advanced all the way to the semifinals in the Northern California bracket of the state tournament.
“I was rooting them on but that was really devastating for us. We had to play kids in different positions because of it,” said San Benito High softball coach Scott Smith. “Right now, we’re less prepared than we’ve ever been at the start of a season. But we’ll get caught up and should be real strong by mid season. Talent wise, if all of our players play to their potential, we could be better than last year.”
Smith’s lofty goals for the 2008 Baler squad are built around several factors. The first being his core group of returning All-League infielders that provides San Benito High with a strong defense in the field and an explosive offense at the plate.
That coupled with the return of Pitcher of the Year Marissa Ibarra and senior first baseman Bri Romero, who opted to rejoin the team after a two-year absence, has Smith excited about his chances of repeating this season.
“I heard rumors that Bri might be coming out. I felt that she was the last piece we needed to put us over the hump this year,” Smith said. She has a very good arm and will probably bat for us in the sixth spot. She’s a good bunter, has good speed on the bases and is very athletic.”
Perhaps the biggest factor in all of the excitement and hoopla surrounding this year’s team is the fact that Ibarra, a junior, is on the roster. A year ago, she posted a 33-2 record, had an overall ERA of .775 and posted a nearly un-hittable league ERA of .050.
“She’s very strong and she uses her legs real well,” Smith said. “I’m a little concerned in that she gave up eight walks in a recent game against Carlmont. She normally gives up one walk every three games. It makes a coach a little nervous when the focal point of the entire team is struggling a bit, but up until the last few games she had been pitching fantastic.”
Another player that makes up the Balers veteran infield is senior shortstop Elena Fata. The league MVP of a year ago, Fata had a fielding percentage of .985 and batted .527 in league play.
“She’s makes us gel as a team – the glue that holds us together,” Smith said. “She an excellent base runner too.”
Another senior in the Baler infield this season is Lizzy Gatto. Gatto, who bats in the number three and four spot in the lineup, has already hit two homeruns this season.
“She is fantastic on defense, has a good arm and is a real savvy player in the field,” Smith said.
At second base the Balers have a left-handed hitter in J.C. Clayton, who has a prowess for getting on base.
“Last year she was the best in league, maybe the CCS for finding ways to get on base,” Smith said. “She has a lot of offensive firepower and gets balls that other players can’t get to.”
Last season Clayton batted more than .600 in league.
Behind the plate the Balers rely heavily on senior catcher Lindsey Clay. In addition to her defensive skills, Clay has proven to be a real clutch hitter for the Balers and has enough power to hit the deep ball on a consistent basis. A year ago, she batted .330 in league, and Smith is expecting more of the same this season.
“She backs the outfield up,” Smith said. “You need a couple of players in the lineup who can hit the deep ball. It makes other teams stay back and respect you.”
The Baler outfield is also comprised of a pair of seniors and freshman Jessica Vest – a player who Smith holds in high regard.
“Jessica can play anywhere – third, short, catcher,” he said. “She’s got a great arm and attitude and she’s learning to switch-hit. She’s also a great base runner and a very smart kid.”
Returning senior Rachel Maheu will hold down the centerfield position this year for the Balers. In addition to having the speed to get to a number of balls in the outfield, Maheu also gives the Balers another left-handed batter in the lineup, who can hit for power, slap the ball around anywhere she needs, or even drag bunt her way on base.
Rounding out the Baler lineup is senior Haley McFarlane. A non-starter a year ago, McFarlane has already made a number of diving catches this season.
“She’s a hard worker for us,” Smith said.
Although league play didn’t officially get under way until this week, it appears as though the biggest challenge for the Balers this season will be the Mustangs of Gilroy High – a team that is already 13-2.
“Gilroy looks real strong and Notre Dame (10-2) is pretty solid,” Smith said. “But that doesn’t change our goal of winning league and making a good run at CCS. I think we can do both.”
