It’s been since 2006 that the Gilroy HIgh softball team has been able to best San Benito. But that doesn’t mean the Mustangs haven’t had their chances, and Tuesday that streak continued in Gilroy as the Balers made it 20 straight wins over their rival.
San Benito, which trailed for the game’s first three innings after a first-inning home run by Amber Gamboa, scored one run in both the fourth and fifth innings to escape with a 2-1 victory over Gilroy.
San Benito (4-1) used strong pitching from Megan Sabbatini, who made only one mistake in the first inning, and strong defense from left fielder Brit Sparrer. Twice in the game when Gilroy threatened, Sparrer dove to make spectacular catches to rob Gilroy of its chances.
In the fourth inning, with a Mustang runner at first base, Sparrer dove into the left-center gap to steal an extra-base hit away from Nicole Green. The catch saved the game, San Benito coach Scott Smith said.
“It’s huge,” Smith said. “I think what it does, it allows us to call certain pitches to get the ball hit to that side of the field. She is the best outfielder I’ve ever coached. We’ve had a lot of great ones, but she gets such a great jump.”
San Benito needed to scratch its way to runs as well, thanks to the strong pitching of Holly Lam, who struck out six Balers. San Benito finished with only six hits and one extra-base hit.
The Balers, who made their second consecutive comeback victory, needed help from the Mustangs (5-4) to get started. Down 1-0 in the fourth, the Balers’ Brittani Newman walked and Cassidy Heen followed with a single. Two batters later, Alyssa Newman hit a soft single to left field to tie the game.
In the next inning, San Benito took the lead for good after Sparrer led off the inning with a single. After a Mustang error, Sabbatini knocked in Sparrer with a sacrifice.
Despite the team’s offensive struggles, Smith was proud of the bottom of the order.
“The important thing for us is that it came from the lower part of the order,” he said. “For them to contribute with the top of the order struggling a little bit is really good for us. Hopefully it develops some chemistry and confidence for the team.”
And after only five games, San Benito is still trying to find its timing and chemistry after four of its starters began late because of basketball. Once those players settle in, Smith expects big things from the Balers.
“They are OK,” he said. “The kids coming out from basketball are definitely pressing a little bit. We are expecting a lot more out of Ellie Burley and Kim Sparrer. Their timing is not there.
He continued: “It’s hard because they expect to come out and pick up where they left off. They’ve only been practicing for two weeks, and everyone else has been out here for a month and half. When they start picking it up and getting their confidence, we will be that much stronger.”
