Gilroy
– Confidence is having your No. 2 hitter sacrificing with one
out. But then, No. 3 hitter Elena Fata is so good at the plate that
the strategy pays off more often than not for San Benito.
Gilroy – Confidence is having your No. 2 hitter sacrificing with one out.
But then, No. 3 hitter Elena Fata is so good at the plate that the strategy pays off more often than not for San Benito.
Thursday’s game with Gilroy was a case in point. Twice, Rachel Maheu moved a runner up a base with one-out bunts. Each time, Fata delivered RBI hits that scored speedy JC Clayton as the Haybalers won 4-2 and clinched a tie for the Tri-County Athletic League title.
Nevertheless, this was a game that came down to the final out. The Mustangs, who struggled against Marissa Ibarra for four innings, began timing the San Benito sophomore in the fifth when they scored a run and in the seventh when the game ended on a well hit ball by Brittany Balanesi that was turned into a game-ending double play.
“If (second baseman) JC (Clayton) doesn’t catch that last ball, we score two runs and it’s a different ballgame,” losing pitcher Patty Olvera said. “They’re definitely the best hitting team I’ve faced.”
Gilroy fell behind 2-0 in the third inning when Fata delivered an RBI single and Lizzy Gatto got her second double of the game to score Fata. The ‘Balers (28-3 overall, 10-1 TCAL) got their fifth and seventh-inning runs the same way – Clayton singled, was sacrificed by Maheu and scored on Fata base hits.
The Mustangs (21-7, 6-4) scored in the fifth as Alicia Reese singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on Balanesi’s base hit, and scored on the front end of a double steal.
Trailing 4-1, Gilroy loaded the bases with none out on an infield single by Jasmine Perez, Olvera reaching on an error and Reese being hit by a pitch. Pierotti’s fielder’s choice grounder to the right side scored a run and gave Gilroy runners at second and third. Balanesi hit a hard, low liner that Clayton grabbed at her shoetops and turned into a double play.
“Fortunately she was in the right spot to end the ballgame,” San Benito coach Scott Smith said. “A low ball like that if it gets to the ground they score two runs and tie it.”
Fata had three hits and three RBIs for the game. Each of the hits scored Clayton, who also had three hits including one where she beat out a routine grounder to third base.
“We were able to adjust towards the end of the game,” GHS coach Catherine Hallada said. “We were pumped up and ready to play, but we needed to make more plays defensively. They (‘Balers) are a good hitting team. We just needed to hit (Ibarra) earlier.
“Still, I’m happy with the team. We have a great record. I’m very confident about where we’re at and excited about the CCS playoffs.”
The Mustangs now must prepare for Tuesday’s home game against second-place Salinas, which beat Gilroy 2-1 on April 12.
San Benito 002 010 1 – 4 10 2
Gilroy 000 010 1 – 2 5 2
Ibarra and Perreira; Olvera and Balanesi. 2B-SB, Gatto 2.
