In a repeat performance, the ‘Sters out-hit and out-pitched the Valley Bears en route to a 10-4 non-CCL victory on Friday night.
Santa Barbara was able to put the bat on ball consistently in this one, with at least one hit in every inning except the seventh. While nine Foresters had one hit or more, Kyle Isbel was the clear leader of the pack, having a monstrous day at the plate. The slugger from UNLV went 4 for 5 with a homerun and 2 RBI. Lex Kaplan was also productive, going 2 for 4 with a walk.
The ‘Sters relied on four pitchers, Steven Wells, Austin Blessing, Zach Esquivel, and Kreston Woods, with Blessing going five innings for the win. The staff combined to strike out eight batters and allow only two earned runs on the day.
With the victory, the Foresters have won five straight going into their two-game weekend series against the Conejo Oaks. Game one will be on Saturday at 5:05 pm in Thousand Oaks.—Matthew Selman
