The Foresters watched Oaks snack their way through Tuesday’s game, as Conejo score seven runs, nibbling at the scoreboard in five of the first six innings. Meanwhile, the only nutrition for the Foresters came on a five-run feast in the fourth inning. That was not enough to overcome the hungry Oaks, who won 7-5.
After Conejo scored in each of the first four innings, the ’Sters five-run fourth gave them the lead as they took advantage of a pair of Oaks errors with some clutch hits and good baserunning, but the Oaks bounced back to retake the lead for good in the sixth.
The Foresters bats had been stilled by Oaks starter Alexander Rivas, who allowed only one hit in the first three innings. Jalin Flores (pictured) had two of those hits on the way to his second straight three-hit contest. Flores’ second led off the fourth, and he moved to third after Max Belyeu reached on an error. Will Rogers’ bouncer to third was misplayed to score Flores. Rocco Garza-Gongora laid down a beautiful bunt to load the bases for Rylan Galvahn, who banged a single to center to score Belyeu and Rogers. A sac fly by Gianni Horvat tied the score 4-4. Nate Voss smacked a long double off the wall, nearly a homer, and Galvahn scored easily to give the Foresters a 5-4 lead.
However, the Oaks re-tied the game in the fifth with a triple and a sac fly. A two-run sixth gave them the winning margin.
As for how the Oaks took that early lead, Hunter Watkins got the start for the ’Sters, his first outing since wrapping up the team’s fifth-ever no-hitter on July 20. Watkins had trouble with his footing in the first inning. The chunky clay might have played a part in his hitting two batters—his first of the summer—and walking one. The Oaks took advantage with a sac fly to take a 1-0 lead. His troubles continued in the second with two more HBPs in the second. Those led to another run on a double steal later in that inning. A base hit—the first of the game—made it 3-0. Conejo’s Drew Smith led off the third with a triple, the first big hit for the Oaks in the game. Nick Leehey followed with a double to make the score 4-0 Oaks.
The Foresters take on the Coastal Dodgers in a non-CCL game at Pershing Park at 6 pm on Wednesday, before welcoming the Oaks for a return match on Thursday, also at 6. Come to the ballpark or listen live on AM 1290 / FM 96.9.
