By Sasha Duda (Photo by Lexi Brindle)
Another packed crowd Saturday at Eddie Mathews Field was treated to a pitchers’ duel in this CCL matchup between the San Diego Bombers and the Santa Barbara Foresters. The ’Sters used three pitchers in the 3-0 win, with AJ Krodel, Tyler Phenow, and Zack James striking out 13 Bombers to secure the team’s second shutout of the season.
If you came late, you missed all the offense. For the second straight day, the ’Sters pounced early, taking advantage of Bomber mistakes. Terrence Kiel got the game started by getting plunked before Brenton Clark, Sawyer Farr, and Addison Klepsch all drew walks on full counts, with Klepsch’s plating the first run. Brady Dallimore then drove in two more, again on a full count, to give Santa Barbara an early 3-0 lead.
After that, the pitcher for both teams ruled the day. In fact, the Foresters got only one hit on the afternoon, leaving their hurlers to keep the Bombers off the board. Krodel allowed only two hits and struck out six in his 4.1 innings.
The first ’Sters call to the bullpen came in the top of the fifth when Phenow relieved Krodel. Phenow added another pair of Ks in his scoreless 1.2.
The Bombers did threaten in the sixth. With the bases loaded, Phenow induced two popouts to Sawyer Farr and Kiel to close out the inning.
James coming in to relieve Phenow in the seventh. He recorded a nine-out save, striking out five while allowing a single hit. The Foresters improved to 5-1.
The Foresters finish up their three-game weekend homestand at SBHS’s Eddie Mathews tomorrow, once again against the Philippines Baseball Group on Father’s Day. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm, with live radio coverage on the Foresters YouTube channel.
