The Foresters used six walks and eleven hits, including a grand slam, to crush the Crawdads 14-7 and make it a Solstice weekend sweep.
While the Foresters typically score in the first inning, they usually don’t put up eight runs as they did on Sunday. Taking advantage of an error, five walks, and two hit by pitches from the Crawdads, they certainly had all the baserunners they could have ever needed. Four runs scored thanks to walks before Kyle Isbel, who had a big day at the plate, mashed a grand slam to give the ’Sters an 8-2 lead going into the second.
Isbel added two more singles, one on a bunt, that were good for RBI as well, giving him a ’Sters season-high six. When asked how he felt hitting the big one in the first, Isbel said, “It’s always a great feeling. I got a good pitch to hit, stuck with my approach, and had great results.”
The Foresters went on to put up six more runs, scoring one apiece in the third and fifth, and putting up a four runs in the fourth. Singles by Matt Henderson (he had three in the game) and Tyler Adkinson drove in runs, along with a sac fly by Kreston Woods and Isbel’s third hit of the day. While the Crawdads were able to scrape together a series-best seven runs on ten hits, it was simply not enough to overcome Santa Barbara. Every Foresters starter had a hit or reached base in a solid offensive show.
In the end, it was Tanner Lawson (1-0) getting the win for the Foresters and helping them take all three from the Crawdads.
After a day off, the Foresters will take on Team USA in Dodger Stadium on Tuesday at 1:30 pm, in the most highly awaited game of the season. Connor Mayes will get the start for the ‘Sters as they look for what will be a tough win.—Matthew Selman
Photos by Eric Isaacs
Tanner Lawson pumps in a strike against Walnut Creek on Sunday.
