By Will Bashur
Even with the cooler weather and change of scenery, the Catch still couldn’t beat the Foresters, as Coach Pintard and his boys held off So. Cal. 4-2 for their 13th consecutive win to begin the season.
But this was far from the 13-2 blowout that occurred Thursday in La Mirada.
The Sters’ bats were initially silenced by So. Cal. starter Hayden Jorgenson, who allowed only one run behind spot-on command through the first five innings.
The story changed in the 6th.
Jorgenson began to leave the ball over the plate, allowing the Foresters to gain some breathing room. Ryan Cash, Luke Ritter, and John Jensen all singled to start the 6th, loading the bases with no outs. After slugger Chase Illig struck out, Kameron Guangorena delivered with a sacrifice fly that scored Cash and advanced Ritter to third. Then, a passed ball skipped off the glove of So. Cal. catcher David Martinez, letting Ritter score and giving the ‘Sters a more comfortable 3-0 lead.
When one side of the ball isn’t exactly clicking for the Foresters, the other is right there to provide a helping hand. Jackson Wolf made his first start of the season for the Sters, throwing five shutout innings while striking out eight. The six-foot-seven-inch southpaw channeled Randy Johnson as he overpowered the Catch on his way to his first win of the season. Although he typically relieves, Wolf had no issue hopping on the bump to start the game.
“It felt really good, I was excited to make that first start tonight. I’ve been out of the bullpen multiple times so far this year, and I was really fired up to get that first start”, Wolf said. “I made two starts during the collegiate year, so I have a little experience this past year from starting, but I’m looking forward for the starts to come.”
The Catch couldn’t touch Wolf, but they were still not ready to give up the game. Connor Woods came in to relieve Wolf, and the Catch seized the opportunity. In the 7th inning, the Catch drew three walks and knocked two hits, scoring two runs off Woods to close the gap to 3-2. However, Brad Demco and newcomer Zack Matthews teamed up to get the ‘Sters out of the jam and squander the Catch’s rally. Matthews, a hard-throwing Oklahoma Sooner, showed off his powerful fastball, and picked up his first save in his first appearance for the ‘Sters.
The Foresters will return to action Saturday after the annual Summer Solstice Parade with a 6 o’clock game against the Arroyo Seco Saints. Tune in to 1290 A.M. for full coverage of the game, starting with the Coastal Copy pregame show at 5:50 P.M.
