It took nine innings Saturday, but Watsonville finally got to
San Benito.
Watsonville – It took nine innings Saturday, but Watsonville finally got to San Benito.
The Wildcatz, who had been shut out by the Haybalers in the past five meetings, scored twice in the top of the ninth and snapped their skid against San Benito with a 2-0 win in the championship game of the Watsonville Tournament.
San Benito had beaten Watsonville six times during the past three years and the ‘Balers opened the season with a 3-0 win over Watsonville. San Benito also had a 1-0 win in last year’s Central Coast Section championship game as part of that streak.
The Wildcatz had five hits in the game off ‘Balers pitcher Marissa Ibarra. Brittany Rojas and Amber Umiamaka both collected two hits and drove in runs in the ninth, with Umiamaka and pitcher Noemi Torres scoring the two runs.
Torres, a senior, earned her first career win against San Benito in five decisions. Her only appearance against the ‘Balers last season came in the CCS title game. She did not pitch in the other two matchups.
San Benito began the day Saturday with a 5-2 win over Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League–leading Soquel in the tournament semifinals. The ‘Balers beat Monterey and Santa Cruz in the opening round of the tournament a week ago. Watsonville got to the finals with a 3-1 win over Robert Louis Stevenson.
The ‘Balers quickly will turn their attention to Tri-County Athletic League action. At 8-1, they hold a one-game lead over Notre Dame and welcome the Spirits to a 4:30pm contest today. Salinas is also tied for second with Notre Dame.
A win would put San Benito in the driver’s seat for its first ever Tri-County Athletic League title with three games remaining.
