By Blythe Hastings
Pitching powered the Foresters to a 6-1 win over the Barons on Friday night at Pershing Park. Stater Parker Smith allowed only four hits in six one-run innings; Ian Churchill struck out six in his two innings. The Foresters offense did enough to back their teammates and win the first game of the three-game homestand.
Even with Smith’s pitching, the Barons got on board early. Starting with a lead-off single and two stolen bases later from Jovanny Saldana, the Barons struck first, scoring after a standup double off the bat of Thomas Williams that sent Saldana home. It was silent until the fourth, when the Foresters started to heat up. After Griffin Everitt walked to first, Nate Rombach came up big, splitting the infield with a rocket as Everitt slid under the tag at third. A ground out single from Jack Holman scored Everitt for the Foresters’ first run, tying it at one a piece
The Sters stayed steady for the rest of the night. The sixth saw Everitt on the bags again, and as Rombach blasted a stand up double to center field, scoring Everitt for the second time and giving Santa Barbara the lead for god.
After Smith, Churchill threw heat, striking out 6 batters in a row after allowing a leadoff hit.
Pitching changes for the Barons only made things worse for them as both Tanner O’Tremba and Gavin Kash stole bases in the seventh. O’Tremba scored on a wild pitch, while Hunter Ensley drove in Kash.
In the eighth, Rylan Charles singled second, ending up at third after a wild pitch, from where he scored on yet another wild pitch.
Come to Pershing Park Saturday at 6 or tune in to AM 1290 KZSB to hear the action as the Sters take on the San Luis Blues.
