After defeating them on Sunday for the Rawlings California Cup title, the Santa Barbara Foresters fell behind early against the San Luis Obispo Blues before storming back for a 6-2 win.
The Blues, losers of their last two following a Monday loss to the Santa Paula Halos, came into the game leading the Foresters by a game and a half in the California Collegiate League North Division standings. With the win, the Foresters move within a half game of the Blues and potentially within a half game of first place depending on the outcome of the Halos’ game Tuesday night. Santa Barbara has won five-straight games and nine of their last 10.
Keaton Siomkin ran into some trouble in the first inning, allowing the Blues to take an early 2-0 lead thanks to three singles and a balk.
However the lead was short lived as Blues’ starter Trevor Fitts, in his first appearance of the year, allowed two hits, walked three and hit one batter. Two of the Foresters’ leading hitters immediately took advantage on Fitts’ struggles as Ben Johnson and Louie Lechich drove in two each. Johnson’s two-RBI double with the bases loaded was followed up by a two-RBI single for Lechich.
Spotted a 4-2 lead, Siomkin settled in and struck out the side in the second inning. He would do the same in the fifth inning, on his way to nine strikeouts for the game in seven innings. The two early runs were the only he allowed, cruising for the rest of the game.
The second inning would not go as smoothly for the Blues, as Christian Coronado hit Joey Epperson and allowed a bomb to Ryan O’ Hearn, his second in as many games against the Blues. O’Hearn’s two-run shot gave the Foresters a 6-2 lead, equalling the six runs they had scored in three games against the Blues earlier this year.
Andrew Vasquez entered in the eighth to pick up where Siomkin left off, striking out three Blues as he wrapped up the game.
