By Jim Buckley
A four-run eighth inning by the Foresters could not salvage a four-error night as Santa Barbara suffered their worst loss of the season, falling 11-4 to the Conejo Oaks on the road—not a strong start to a 13-day stretch of games with no days off. Conejo broke the game open in the fourth with five runs, four of which were charged to starter Brandon Beckel (pictured), but two of which came on a key error by third baseman Will Pendergrass. He was not alone, as SS Austin Stracener and Beckel himself also made errors. Following Beckel’s three-plus innings, the usually untouchable bullpen proved touchable Tuesday night, as three relievers could not stem the tide of the Oaks’ scoring.
The Oaks added a pair of runs in the sixth and seventh to cement the victory.
Santa Barbara’s eighth-inning bright spot included an RBI single by Kevin Bazzell and a two-run single by RBI machine Gavin Kash, which joined a run scored on a wild pitch.
The Foresters expect to get back on a winning track on Wednesday when they travel to Pasadena to take on the Arroyo Seco Saints. Tune in at 6 pm to AM 1290 and FM 96.9 KZSB for all the action. Make your plans to be at Pershing Park Wednesday for The SB Independent Night vs. these same Oaks at 6 pm.
