By Kian Karamdashti
The Foresters extended their winning streak to seven games with a convincing 6-3 win over the MLB Academy Barons on Friday.
The Foresters offense put on a show offensively, coming through with 12 hits on the night. Wichita State Senior Jacob Katzfey got the ‘Sters going early, with a first inning base hit up the middle bringing in recently arrived Cal Berkeley First baseman Quentin Selma. Katzfey would go on to have two RBIs on the night. The lead would be extended to 3-0 in the bottom of the second as the ‘Sters pounced on a walk by Spencer Jones, hits by Tommy Holguin and Ryan Cash, and a wild pitch to the backstop.
“Honestly. I’m just trying to give what they give me and get the runners in when I needed too,” said Katzfey.
The starter tonight, Brett Walker, was another reinforcement in from the University of Oregon. Walker would go through five innings of work, while allowing three earned runs. After going 1-2-3 in his first couple innings, trouble came in the fourth, as the Barons were able to claw back through a double by Kyle Freeman, tying the game at three. Walker was able to recover in the following frame, ending the night with six strikeouts and only one walk given up.
“Walker really mixes his speeds well,” said Manager Bill Pintard. “He works quick. If you get him and {Jake} Jackson in a double header and you might be out of there in three hours. I really like him, you’re going to see him starting more.”
While the Barons stuck around, the ‘Sters drifted away for good in the bottom of the fifth. Another wild pitch, another Katzfey single, and a Spencer Jones fielder’s choice made it a 6-3 game by the end of the frame. This time, the Foresters kept their three-run lead for good.
A key theme for the year has been ruthlessness of the Foresters bullpen, and that theme rang true tonight. A combination of Hunter Breault, Brad Demco, and Drake Greenwood dominated the last four innings with eight strikeouts and no hits allowed, shutting down any sign of a Barons’ rally. A standpoint performance came from Breault, who struck out the side in the seventh while topping 95 MPH multiple times throughout his outing.
“Our bullpen is extremely reliable,” said Pintard. “When we get a lead, we’re tough. Hunter Breault was outstanding for us last year and he’s back with us dialed in. He put some hair on that ball tonight.”
Katzfey also seems to be enjoying the performance from the whole pitching staff this summer.
“I don’t want to jinx it but our pitching is unbelievable. They are carving these teams up. It’s fun to play behind on defense and it’s very comforting when we are hitting. They’re throwing strikes and they don’t get behind. We know we don’t need 10 runs a game to win and they’re getting the job done.
With a seven-game winning streak in full flow, and new players flying in almost daily, the ‘Sters seem determined to take a firm grip on the league title.
“When you put on a Foresters’ uniform you’re expected to win every time. We’ve got quite the team and we’re even missing a few guys. It’s fun and everyone does their part. End of the day we want each other to get better and we want everyone to get a chance to do their part. The large number of guys definitely drives us to stay in the lineup but we are a team and we are here to win games.”
The Foresters continue their weekend home stand tomorrow against the Conejo Oaks at Pershing Park; first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm on AM 1290.
