Benicia bats ablaze in win over St. Pat’s
Marcacci has 4 of the Panthers’ 17 hits as team earns first victory of season
It was Benicia’s first win of the season in its second game in two days, while St. Pat’s fell to 2-1 with the loss.
Benicia High softball head coach Kristin Grubbs said on Friday afternoon that she was thrilled to be coaching softball games again after her team missed nearly a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coach also had no problems wearing a mask while giving out signs at third base.
“I told them I’d do anything to play,” Grubbs said. “If they told me to be out here in a biohazard suit I’d be out here in a biohazard suit.”
A hazmat suit wasn’t needed for this game, but that being said the Panthers’ offense was incredibly dangerous against St. PatrickSt. Vincent High.
Benicia banged out 17 hits in six innings against the Bruins as every Panther starter reached base at least once and six players had at least two hits in the 12-2 win. It was Benicia’s first win of the season in its second game in two days, while St. Pat’s fell to 2-1 with the loss.
“I kind of hounded them about making adjustments (at the plate),” Grubbs said. “The first time through our lineup our swings weren’t conducive to getting good legitimate hits. So we were able to make adjustments and look for our pitches rather
than swing at any pitch. If we continue to do that we’ll continue to have success.”
One of the Benicia batters making the right adjustments was No.2 hitter, Lorenzza Marcacci, who collected four hits and a walk while stealing one base and driving in two runs.
“Seeing the ball in and having a plan in my head,” Marcacci said about what her biggest adjustment was. “I was trying to go opposite field since the pitcher was a little more slow. Seeing the ball in and getting my pitch.”
Although Benicia’s offense was rolling, it was St. Pat’s that took the lead first when senior Kaleena Yra singled home a run to make it 1-0 after an inning.
Benicia stranded two runners in the first inning, but would have no problems in the second and third innings. Breana Gomez tied the score at 1 with her RBI single in the top of the second and then the Panthers took the lead for good when Robynn Balmediano doubled Gomez in to make it 2-1.
In the third inning Benicia had seven more hits to help contribute to seven more runs and a 9-1 lead. Kaydence Kinder had an RBI single to make it 3-1 and moments later Gomez had her second hit of the game, this one a double, to drive in two more runs and make it 5-1. A two-run double by Marcacci made it 7-1 and then another two-run double, this one by sophomore Braxton Brown, made it 9-1.
“If I’ve learned nothing from this game is that it takes everybody (to win),” Grubbs said. “The reason we’ve had the success we’ve had is that everybody understands is that it’s going to take everybody and they don’t have to have the pressure on them in that 1-2-3-4 spots. Instead they can go up there loose and have confidence and believe in themselves … I’m proud of them. Even the ones that came off the bench and put the ball in play. You can’t ask for much more than that.”
Brown was also sharp in the circle for the Panthers, as she hurled 4 1/3 innings, giving up just one earned run to get the win. She struck out six batters.
Angelina Orellana singled home a run for St. Pat’s in the bottom of the third to make it 9-2, but it was too late for St. Pat’s. Benicia would go on to add three more runs, two of them coming off wild pitches with the bases loaded by freshman hurler Sophia Hughes.
“Sometimes you need a slap in the face a couple times to be able to win and know how to win,” said St. Pat’s catcher Alicia Campbell, who previously played for Benicia before the pandemic.
Campbell said she was keeping up the chatter behind the plate as Benicia batters would enter the box.
“Oh my gosh I was talking to everybody. All the friends I knew, and I know a lot of girls on the team,” Campbell said. “So it was fun seeing them all and talking with them. It was a friendly rivalry.”
St. Pat’s co-head coach Tamra Smith, said the team will try to forget about this game as soon as possible.
“The girls learned that good teams are going to hit the ball,” Smith said. “And not all home runs. They had some bloops and little seeing-eyes and spread the ball over the field. We need work on adversity, but then again we’re only eight days in.”
Smith said she had a surreal moment in the Bruins’ first game of the season where she couldn’t believe they were playing after only having five days of practice. Still, she’s glad to be back out coaching the team after so much time missed due to the coronavirus.
“I missed the girls. We love being outside and it’s a lot of fun, but we missed the energy they bring,” Smith said. “They’re fun and even two months ago when we couldn’t throw the ball we were still having a good time. So I’m glad that they’re able to have a season.”
Grubbs felt the same way on the other side of the field.
“To use the word ‘elated’ would probably be an understatement,” Grubbs said, with a grin wider than the Grand Canyon. “I can’t put together the words to tell you how much this game means to not only me but these girls and to be back out on the field. It’s such a big part of our lives.