By Jalen Kang
The Foresters fell into an early 6-1 deficit and couldn’t climb back against the Conejo Oaks, resulting in a 7-4 loss at Sparky Anderson Field at California Lutheran University on Wednesday afternoon.
The ❜Sters (2-2) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when TJ Pompey showed off his versatility to create a scoring opportunity for Dominic Smaldino. Pompey singled with two outs, stole second, and scored thanks to an RBI single by Smaldino for the contest’s opening run.
In a bullpen game for the ❜Sters, the Oaks (3-3) chipped away at opener Hudson Hamilton and were able to tie the game at 1-1 in the second before putting together a five-run third inning.
A hit by pitch and a walk ended Hamilton’s outing after 2.1 innings as Max Fraser entered the ballgame inheriting runners on first and second. Another walk loaded the bases and a two-run single gave the Oaks a 3-1 lead. With a chance to limit the damage, a back-breaking miscue in center field turned the Oaks’ second hit of the inning from a single into an inside-the-park three-run homer.
In the blink of an eye, the ❜Sters were in a 6-1 hole.
A sixth-inning RBI double by Daniel Patterson seemed like it could be the start of a ❜Sters rally, but the Oaks answered back with a run seventh to reclaim their five-run lead.
In the top of the ninth, Nik Sanders put the finishing touches on his 2-4 day with a leadoff single, Patterson walked, and Jack Bollengier plated two more runs for the ❜Sters with a single that scored both men. Alas, it was all cosmetic as they couldn’t spark a late rally in Thousand Oaks.
The ❜Sters are back in action at Eddie Mathews Field against the San Luis Obispo Blues on Friday, June 14 at 4:30 p.m. Tune in from anywhere on your device by visiting our YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@SantaBarbaraForesters19.
