Mustangs capitalize on SBHS errors, score 12 runs in win
By Scott Campbell, Staff Writer
Gilroy – Right from the start, this looked like it would be the Mustangs’ day.
With one out in the first inning, Gilroy faced Karson Klauer, San Benito’s stud hitter, with a man on first. Klauer crushed Mustangs starter Jacob Dexter’s pitch into the right-center gap, a ball destined to put the Haybalers up early.
But Gilroy rightfielder Kevin Grove sprinted to his left and sprawled out in a dive to rob Klauer of a sure hit. Grove then promptly threw the ball in to first baseman Tyler Osborne to double off San Benito’s Breyon Canez, who had rounded second base and was nearing third, to eliminate the ‘Balers’ threat.
The Mustangs (3-4, 1-1 TCAL) used several clutch plays throughout the afternoon, none bigger than Grove’s highlight-reel catch, to post a convincing 12-5 win over San Benito.
“I just had to make a play to help our team,” said Grove. “At first, I thought I wasn’t going to get it because it looked like it was pretty far in the gap.”
San Benito (6-2, 2-1 TCAL) took an early lead when Jacob Boyd and Kolton Klauer walked to open the third. Karson Klauer blooped a one-out single to center that scored Boyd, and when Gilroy center fielder Josh Sterling misplayed the ball, Kolton Klauer scored as well. Then Karson Klauer’s aggressive baserunning allowed him to score on a throwing error by Osborne, putting the ‘Balers up 3-0.
But Gilroy answered right back.
The Mustangs’ first five batters of the inning reached base, two via San Benito fielding errors, to send ‘Balers starting pitcher Ryan McFall packing. Sophomore reliever Zach Canez entered with a no-out, bases loaded jam, but calmly struck out Osborne to give the ‘Balers hope of avoiding a big inning.
Then Canez induced a comebacker by Gilroy’s Ryan Evanger that looked sure to give San Benito a force out at the plate. But in rushing to unload the ball, Canez lofted his throw past catcher Travis Ross, allowing Drew Anderson to score and the Mustangs to prolong the inning.
Gilroy made sure to make its rival pay. Mustangs starting pitcher Jacob Dexter followed with a two-run single, and before Canez could get out of the inning, Gilroy pushed its lead to 7-3.
Dexter made sure to credit his team’s hitters after the game.
“They picked me up when we needed to get some runs,” said Dexter, who pitched 3 2/3 innings for the win. “They made it easy for me to get out there and pitch my game.”
Gilroy batted around again in the sixth, torching shortstop-turned-reliever Sky Valenzuela for five hits and four runs to put an end to any ‘Baler comeback hopes.
The Mustangs pounded San Benito pitchers for 13 hits, led by ninth-place hitter Sterling’s 3-for-4, four RBI showing. Gilroy leadoff hitter Michael Stevens went 2-for-3 and reached base four times, while Dexter, Chris Hernandez and Matt Hemeon also enjoyed mult-hit games.
“To come out and hit the ball the way we did today was exactly what we needed,” said Mustangs head coach Clint Wheeler.
The Mustangs benefited from the ‘Balers’ three hit batsmen and three wild pitches, but still stranded nine runners.
San Benito finished with six hits and received five walks, but left seven runners on base.
Karson Klauer led the ‘Balers’ offense with two hits, including a solo home run on the first pitch of the seventh inning. The second baseman scored three runs and drove in two. Ross, the San Benito catcher, was the only other ‘Baler to get multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 with one RBI.
San Benito head coach Michael Luna said his team was flat from the beginning.
“We were not ready to play,” said Luna. “It was one of those days when our focus was not there, our intensity was not there and our concentration was not there.”
Wheeler thought putting the pressure on San Benito’s defense was the biggest factor in his team’s first TCAL win.
“We hit the ball on the ground,” said Wheeler, “and that forced ’em to make some plays.”
Dexter, who helped his own cause by going 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs scored, said the win couldn’t have come at a better time.
“It’s a big rivalry and it’s good to get one at home,” said Dexter. “Hopefully, we get the one over there.”
Gilroy returns to action today when it hosts Palma. After downing one of the league’s unbeaten teams, the Mustangs hope to make this an outstanding back-to-back against the other.
“It’s huge,” said Wheeler of the two games. “It’s going to force you to see what your whole team is made of, pitching-wise.”
The Mustangs-Chieftains’ first pitch is set for 3:30pm this afternoon.
