By Kyle Howie
The Foresters’ offense was silent on Tuesday night for the second game in a row as they fell to the Arroyo Seco Saints, 5-1. Crucial errors from the defense gave the Saints a chance to run away with the game in a hurry. The ‘Sters’ pitching did their best, but could not take down the Saints’ offense.
The Foresters struck first due to heads-up base running from Will Rogers in the 2nd inning. Rogers stole second and then advanced to third base on a passed ball. Ryan Black then grounded out to third to drive in Rogers for a 1-0 Foresters’ lead. The Saints’ pitching then suffocated the ‘Sters offense and held them to just three hits the rest of the game.
The Saints’ took over in the 3rd inning by scoring three runs off of a couple of miscues from the Foresters. Raider Tello tied the game with a bases-loaded walk and Max Blessinger scored on a wild pitch to take a 2-1 lead. Another mistake from the Foresters’ third basemen allowed Jordan Rogers to score the third run of the inning. In the 4th and 5th innings, the Saints tacked on two more runs. Connor Bradshaw’s double and a sacrifice fly by Mason Hammonds made it a 5-1 Saints’ lead.
The Saints’ pitching, including Jacob Henderson and Gilbert Lopez, held the Foresters to just 3 hits, 1 run, and combined for 11 strikeouts. Henderson threw five, no-hit innings in relief, and the starter, Lopez, pitched four outstanding innings. The Foresters’ hitting could not find an answer.
Uncharacteristically, the Foresters’ pitching and offense have been off as they continue their losing streak of two games. The loss ties their longest losing streak of the season and the second time the Foresters have put up only one run in a game. The dominant Foresters’ pitching and hitting have not been up to par recently and they look to flip the script on Wednesday. The ‘Sters take on the Ventura Pirates at 6:00 p.m. and the game can be heard live on AM 1290 radio; or listen online or stream live via the Foresters’ website, www.sbforesters.org.
