GILROY—Christopher faced arguably its toughest test of the season Tuesday, taking on the undefeated San Benito Haybalers, but it held its own.
The Cougars were swept 7-0, but three matches were decided by a tiebreaker.
The No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams both won their first sets, but ultimately fell by a close tiebreaker decision. The No. 4 singles player, Sam Fernandez, was playing for the injured Tom Madruga and took his Baler counterpart to the wire.
Balers’ No. 4 Chris Godbert won the first set against Fernandez 6-2. The Cougar rebounded with a 7-6 win, but fell in the tiebreaker 7-4.
The No. 1 team of Isaiah Rugerio and Jesus Velasquez took their first set 7-5. But the Balers duo of Andrew Regaldo and Rafa Alfano rebounded with a 6-1 victory in Set 2 to force the tiebreaker. The Balers sealed the ‘W’ with an 11-9 decision in the tiebreaker match.
No. 2 doubles partners Ernesto Jimenez and Dolores Hernandez won Set 1 by a 7-5 mark, but their fate was much the same their No. 1 doubles teammates. San Benito’s Esteban Gomez and Gilbert Banvalos III won the second set 6-1 and finished off the Cougars with a 10-7 win in the tiebreaker.
“It was a rough day for the CHS boys,” coach Patrick McBrearty said via email. “…there were some interesting moments. No. 1 and 2 doubles won their first set and were our shining light for a moment.”
No. 1 Destin Cockcroft lost 6-3, 6-1 to San Benito’s Aaron Francis. Dominic Nguyen, the No. 2 Cougars single player, lost by the same scores to Balers’ Marquese Hayes.
Things were a bit closer for the Cougars’ No. 3, Geoffrey He, but he lost 6-3, 6-4 to San Benito’s Christian Grenados.
Sal Rerez and Abed Dadu, the Balers’ No. 3 doubles team, swept their Christopher counterparts, Jose Martinez and Michael Davalos 6-0, 6-0.
Christopher (2-4) takes on Alisal at 4 p.m. Thursday.
