SAN BENITO — The San Benito Greyhounds are ready for the target on their backs in one of the most competitive softball districts in the state, District 32-6A.
The Greyhounds picked up their 21st victory of the season and their first in district by defeating the Brownsville Hanna Eagles 15-0 after four innings Thursday at San Benito High School.
“We are playing well right now,” San Benito head coach Elias Martinez said. “We are playing consistently, I feel pretty good about where we are right now. Starting off 1-0 in our district is big because it is such a tough district.”
The Greyhounds put the game away in the fourth inning after entering the bottom of the fourth needing only one run. San Benito picked up nine runs in the bottom of the third to make it 14-0.
San Benito sophomore JoJo Montes started the scoring during the third inning with a home run to make it 7-0. It was the first really clean contact the Greyhounds had in the game.
“I was just looking to get on base, score a few runs and set the tone,” Montes said.
Greyhounds second baseman and leadoff hitter Bethany Aguilar drove in two runs to make it 9-0. Senior Emily Delgado continued the run by ripping a shot over the left-field wall with a little help from the 23 mph winds to make it 12-0.
Delgado also pitched four innings, striking out eight and only allowing one hit.
“We are proving that we are a strong team,” Delgado said. “We are looking to go far.”
Brownsville Hanna (8-12, 0-1) came into the contest winners of six of their last seven games. The Eagles threatened to make a game out of it in the third inning.
Eagles pitcher Jysiam Acosta and the defense did not give up a run against the top part of the Greyhounds’ lineup during the bottom of second. Brownsville Hanna loaded the bases after making it out of the second unscathed, but Delgado threw three straight strikes to end the inning.
San Benito scored most of the five runs in the first because of errors. First baseman Kylie Sanchez drove in two runs that were not assisted by errors.
No district has more representation in the latest Texas Girls Coaches Association State Softball Poll than District 32-6A. Three teams were in the poll that came out March 13: San Benito is second, Los Fresnos is 11 and Brownsville Rivera is at 21.
The Greyhounds performed well during the tournament season, Martinez said. San Benito went undefeated in the Calallen tournament, beat up on some schools from Central and North Texas and also have wins against Santa Gertrudis, Lyford and Bishop, some of the best sub-5A teams in South Texas.
The Greyhounds have held the No. 2 spot for nearly a month.
“In my opinion, I think it is rightfully deserved,” Martinez said about the Greyhounds’ ranking. “Of course, being ranked that high puts a target on our back. We have always said, if it is going to be done in softball, it is going to be done by San Benito.”
Weslaco High defeated Harlingen High in a wild contest in Harlingen. The wind was helping the ball fly out the park as the Panthers came out on top 21-19 in an eight-inning thriller.
Los Fresnos picked up an impressive 12-0 win over Brownsville Rivera. The Falcons might have knocked the Raiders out of the state rankings, but they need to be on guard against defending district champ Weslaco High at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Weslaco High.
Harlingen High and Brownsville Hanna meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Brownsville. San Benito and Brownsville Rivera also play at 6:30 p.m., but in San Benito.