By Aidan O’Neill
The Swinging ’Sters kept the offense going on Friday afternoon against the Pirates, scoring 10 runs on 11 hits, picking up their third consecutive win.
After a stagnant beginning of the game on both sides of the ball, the Foresters trailed the Pirates 3-1 entering the 4th inning.
Ventura couldn’t hold Santa Barbara down forever. Sparked by a walk by Will Rogers after a grueling at-bat, TJ Pompey singled to set the table for the middle of the order. A peculiar coaching decision to draw the infield in while up by 2 for the Pirates allowed for the Foresters to capitalize, as Jonny Rodriguez rolled a 2 RBI single passed the diving second baseman. Jackson Freeman and Dylan Maxcey also got in on the fun, both accounting for RBI. The Foresters led 5-3.
“We saw fastballs early in the count and breaking balls when their pitcher got behind,” Will Rogers said. “Once we had that approach we were able to put up some runs”.
The Pirates were able to claw back into the game, tying the game at 5-5. The poise of the Foresters, however, allowed for another crooked number to be put up, led by LF Will Rogers once again on a 2 RBI triple.
“When I was rounding 3rd I was practically on the outfield grass…it’s always fun to ster it up at third,” Rogers said.
Garrett Stratton relieved Cody Howard on the mound and was brilliant, tossing 3 ⅓ innings of 1 run baseball and fanning 4. For Howard, this was his first rough start of the summer campaign, but his bullpen backed him up. Zahradnik shut the door in the 9th, as the Foresters held on.
They will finish off the home stand tomorrow against the San Diego Sunrays at 4:30 pm at Eddie Matthews Field. To stay up to date on all of the action, subscribe to our Youtube Channel @SBForesters19
