Sters Complete the Sweep
by Nate Loop
The Foresters just keep finding ways to win. Seven victories in a row now, and this last one may have truly been a lucky number seven, as the Foresters eventually scored the winning runs on a controversial call in the ninth inning.
Team Vegas got to Sters starting pitcher Aaron Bummer early, and were up 3-0 after just two innings.
The Foresters got a run back in style, as Arby Fields smacked a solo home run in the third inning to get a run back. Fields showed off his great strength, as the ball went screaming over the left field fence, and disappeared quickly into the desert night.
The Foresters cut the Vegas lead to 1 in the fourth, as Luke Plucheck scored from third on an error by Vegas third baseman Humberto Tovalin.
The Foresters got their big inning in the sixth, tallying three runs to surge ahead 5-3. Austin Davidson, Jacob Felts, and Cal Vogelsang each collected RBIs during the inning.
The Foresters could not hold onto the lead for long. Andrew Vasquez, a local UCSB player making his first appearance for the Sters, gave up a two run home run to Bryce Greager in the bottom of the seventh inning that tie the game at 5-5.
After the Foresters failed to score with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth, they got what they needed in the ninth inning.
With the bases loaded once again, the Foresters recorded two outs without anybody crossing home plate. Fields then came up and hit a soft grounder down towards the first baseman Marvin Campbell. As Fields was racing down the line, Campbell realized his pitcher would not make it to the bag to cover in time, so went to the base himself. He dove, arms outstretched, and tagged the bag with his glove. The umpire ruled Fields safe, which meant Hoelscher and O’ Hearn scored on the play, giving the Foresters the 7-5 lead they would not relinquish. Campbell was furious with the umpire and was ejected from the game.
Hunter Lemke came in and recorded the save for the Foresters.
The Foresters now turn their attention to the San Luis Obispo Blues. They play a three game series against them at home, starting on Tuesday at 5:10 p.m. at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
