Take away a couple of wild pitches, and this was a closely-played game. But Foresters pitchers bounced in a couple too many, helping the Healdsburg Prune Packers emerge with a 4-1 in as the Foresters opened California Collegiate League play in a game at Westmont.
The two teams were tied 1-1 after 1. Healdsburg scored when a wild pitch by Connor Mayes allowed Bobby Wilson to come in from third. Then, for the third straight game, Santa Barbara scored in the first inning. A ground ball to short by Codi Santana was booted, scoring Bret Boswell, who had hit his fifth double of the young season. Healdsburg went ahead to stay in the fourth on another wild pitch. A single drove in another run to make it 3-1, Packers. They added an insurance run in the eighth.
Other than the wild pitches, Mayes was solid, striking out five and walking only one in his five innings. Connor McManigal pitched two scoreless innings, helped by a pair of double plays turned by the Foresters infield. Andrew Garretson, who started as the DH and moved to right field, played his third position of the day while pitching the final two innings. Trevor Abrams was the only Forester with multiple hits, a pair of singles. The Foresters had an eighth-inning rally blunted when Kyle Isbel was doubled off second on what would have been a sacrifice fly by Colby Barrick.
The two teams resume their series on Wednesday at 5 pm at Westmont. Tickets are available at the gate. Bring your friends! —Jim Buckley
