San Benito’s offense flexed its might early in Game 1 of a Regional IV-5A final Thursday night, but the Greyhounds exploded during the top of the fifth inning to run-rule San Antonio East Central.
The Greyhounds won the game 11-1 over the Hornets in Beeville and now take a 1-0 series advantage into Game 2 Friday night at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi.
“There was no way we were going to let them beat us,” San Benito head coach Elias Martinez said. “We came out aggressive and played smart defensively. We made the routine plays and kept everything at a minimal. Our girls would not be denied.”
A 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fifth courtesy of Elyssa Ruvio’s fly ball catch, Emily Delgado’s backhand and throw to first, and Jenna Torres’ routine putout from third sealed Game 1 with Amira Rodriguez in the circle.
Rodriguez started the fifth with a solo home run, and Ruvio and Delgado tacked on late RBIs to extend the lead. Rodriguez had another crack at it but flew out to end the inning.
Rodriguez and Delgado started the game off strong. Rodriguez brought in two with a single with the bases loaded. Heads-up baserunning by Delgado to steal home scored the Greyhounds’ next run, giving them a 3-0 lead after only an inning. San Benito led 6-1 after two innings.
It will be a new game Friday night, Martinez said. The head coach knows that the series is far from over, but is pleased with the performance Thursday in Beeville.
“That was San Benito softball at its finest,” Martinez said.