In the regular-season finale before a packed house at Caesar Uyesaka, the Foresters swept away the San Luis Blues, 5-0, wrapping up the season with a sparkling 35-7 record. That marks the fewest losses the Foresters have had on their record as they head to the NBC World Series. Santa Barbara opens play in Wichita on Saturday, August 1 at a time to be determined.
Sunday began with Host Family Appreciation Day, as Foresters players, coaches, and staff saluted the outstanding volunteers who acted as homes-away-from-home for the players. Each family was greeted by “their” players and presented with a gift and a stadium full of applause.
With the good feeling in the air from that ceremony—and after a splendid rendition of the National Anthem by Foresters board member Paul Uyesaka—the ballclub kept the party going by scoring when Jeremy Montalbano knocked in Matt Henderson. The shortstop had reached with a single, the first of three hits he had on the afternoon.
Starting pitcher Justin Camp was masterful, holding the Blues scoreless on three hits, while striking out 7 in his five-inning tuneup for Wichita. Backing him up, the Foresters scored single runs in the fifth through the eighth on RBI by Henderson, John Brontsema, Montalbano, and Ryan Chandler. Andres Nunez and Elliott Surrey added five more strikeouts in their four combined innings of scoreless relief.
The 2015 Foresters then gathered on the field to thank fans, supporters, sponsors, staff, volunteers, and more. A postgame “meet the fans” gathering was a bonus treat, as players waited at the exit gates to say thanks, pose for pictures, and sign autographs.
Watch the Foresters Web site, Facebook page, and Twitter feed (sbforesters) for live updates from Wichita as the team pursues its record-tying sixth NBC World Series championship.
—Jim Buckley
Thanks to fans big and small!
The Tooley Family and Troy Cruz
The Songer Family, Matt Henderson and Kaleb Denny
