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Behind a complete game by senior pitcher Eliana Hatchett, the Hollister High School softball team remained undefeated in the first three games of the season by beating San Jose’s Notre Dame 5-1 on March 19. They previously defeated Alameda’s Encinal High School 15-2 and Clovis North High School 2-1.
Hatchett kept the Regents scoreless until the last inning. With a runner on second base and one out, she gave up a single and a walk to load the bases. The next batter grounded out to second base to advance the runners and score Notre Dame’s only run. Hatchett struck out the last batter.
“She did a great job in the circle today,” Hollister coach Andrew Barrigan said.
Hatchett allowed four hits, walked three and struck out five. She said it wasn’t the best game but they were able to make adjustments.
“We definitely got the job done,” she said.
The Balers bats were kept at bay by freshman pitcher Anya Shah, who shut them out through four innings despite Hollister threatening in the second, with runners on first and second base with no outs. She struck out the next three batters.
In the fifth, Hollister took advantage of a lead-off single and aggressive baserunning to score the first run. With one out, junior catcher Avery Chavez stole third base and scored on Abby Espinoza’s successful bunt.
“We just knew that that one run is going to start snowballing,” Barragan said. “Our game is to put pressure on the defense.”
Two batters later, senior center fielder Grace Peffley hit a single to center field that scored the runners from third and second.
Freshman left fielder Aleah Ruiz put the Balers up 5-0 in the sixth inning with a 2 RBI single to center field.
Eliana Hatchett pithced a complete game against Notre Dame and gave up one run. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
First base De’zeyer Fa’agai had a hit in the second inning and scored a run in the sixth. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Centerfielder Grace Peffley shows bunt. She drove in two runs in the fifth inning. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
De’zeyer Fa’agai catches the throw to first for the out. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Right fielder Bianca Guerra had two hits on bunts. She scored the third run in the fifth inning. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Left fielder Aleah Ruiz slides to make a catch. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Hatchett said the team’s approach showed they are playing for each other.
“Everyone made their adjustments, figured out what was working for them, how to time [the pitcher],” she said. “Even bunting, being selfless players instead of trying to hit a home run.”
Hollister finished with nine hits, including four bunts, and five strikeouts.
“That’s a good pitcher,” Hollister coach Andrew Barragan said. “She had us off balance today. That’s why we had to go to the small ball. We started bunting a lot. We knew with our bat handling and our speed we were going to push a couple of runs across.”
Barragan said the team will work on cleaning up errors, which included a dropped ball and a throwing error.
Hollister is scheduled to face Saint Francis March 22 in Mountain View.
BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.
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