By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — When the San Benito Greyhounds take on the Edinburg Bobcats to open their best-of-three bi-district series, it will mark the first time in program history the team has played in the postseason back-to-back years.
Accomplishing that feat was anything but easy.
The ‘Hounds ended the District 32-6A year 9-5 and in third place, but before that, they opened 1-3.
“The kids realized that they weren’t playing up to their potential,” said San Benito head coach Ram Partida. “Then they realized that they can do this.”
During that span, the ‘Hounds dropped two winnable games to eventual playoff teams Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Veterans in 3-1 contests.
“We are the third seed this year, but I feel like we have a No. 1 or No. 2 seed team,” Partida said. “Out of the five losses we had, there were maybe two games we weren’t in.”
For the players, it was a matter of not playing with confidence and not finding their footing.
But the attitude changed just in time and the ‘Hounds stormed to a five-game winning streak, finished 8-2 over their last 10 games.
“Coach told us that when you go swimming, most people test the water,” said senior first baseman Joseph Partida. “He told us just to jump in. We started most games slow, and played scared. We’d come on late but most times it was too late.
“During the five-game streak, we basically jumped in from the get go and that led to us playing better and finishing games.”
After earning a playoff spot, the ‘Hounds turn their attention to the same Edinburg team that swept them a year ago.
This time, the ‘Hounds are bringing experience against one of the tougher outs in the Valley.
“Last year, Edinburg intimidated us since it was our first playoff series,” said senior pitcher Erick Arizpe. “We’re more experienced overall, calmer and we’re having more fun this year.”
Partida hopes that his defense and pitching will continue to lead the way as it has all season.
“Towards the end of games, our pitching and defense did well and led us to win a lot of games,” Partida said. “Some of our losses were when we had five or six errors. With our pitching and our defense playing well, we don’t have to go out and score five or six runs.”
On the Mound, the ‘Hounds have a trio of solid arms.
Arizpe leads the team with 52 strikeouts, followed by closer JR Gaitan follows with 41 and Mando Medrano with 26.
With that arsenal, a clean game on defense and big-game experience, the Greyhounds feel they can return the favor and get past the Cougars this year.
“The kids wanted Edinburg and possibly because they wanted a bit of revenge,” Partida said. “They’re a good team this year, but playing with Hanna, Veterans and Los Fresnos prepared us for the tough Edinburg teams in 31-6A.
“Our kids are ready and excited.”
The series openstoday in San Benito at 7 p.m. with the series shifting to Edinburg on Saturday with game 2 starting at 11 a.m. and game three following 30 minutes later if necessary.