By Jim Buckley
The Foresters’ 3-0 win over the Academy Barons on Friday was a lesson in arriving early. The big action in the game all happened before most fans had settled into their seats. With two outs in the first, on a mighty lefthanded swing, Gavin Kash gave the Foresters all the runs they would need, smacking a two-out, three-run homer to right-center.
Foresters starting pitcher Parker Smith made the lead stand up and then some. He walked the first two batters he saw, but got help from his defense when Will Pendergrass started a nice 5-3 double play. Smith then settled down, retiring the next seven Barons, going on to finish six scoreless innings while allowing only two hits. Alec Grossman, Ian Churchill and Nick Proctor closed out the shutout flawlessly. Proctor, the returning closer from the 2021 champions, earned his first save of the summer by striking out the side in the ninth.
Kash’s blast came after an odd beginning to the Foresters’ first, as the first two batters reached base and contrived to be thrown out at third base as the inning progressed. Rylan Charles walked and stole second base, but was then thrown out a few pitches later trying to do the same at third. Miguel Santos also walked, but was cut down at third trying to advance two bases on a single by Will Pendergrass. Kash then righted the ship with his homer, the first of the summer for the Foresters.
The win brought the Foresters record to 3-4 as they head into a Saturday 6 pm game at Pershing Park against the Conejo Oaks. Come in person and bring friends . . . or listen on AM 1290 or FM 96.9 KZSB.
