‘Sters Bounce Back Big! Win, 12-3

By Kyle Howie

The Foresters’ offense was unstoppable! The ‘Sters tallied up 12 runs on 15 hits to take a commanding victory over the Arroyo Seco Saints, 12-3. Five Foresters possessed two or more hits and the base running was spectacular with runners stealing a total of 8 bags.

The Foresters had some traffic in the top of the first inning as Daniel Patterson singled and showed off his wheels, stealing second for the third game in a row. Ryan Black then walked and the ‘Sters executed a double steal to take third and second base respectively. The speedy Patterson was able to touch home on a wild pitch from Brayden Matthews to start the scoring early at 1-0.

In the bottom of the first, the Saints took a page out of the Foresters’ book and successfully stole third and second base. This led to a Jack Little single which scored both runners to take the lead 2-1. In the blink of an eye, Michael Lombardi ties the game at 2-2, scoring Gregory Pace from third on a single to center. 

The heart of the order adds to the damage featuring a 2 RBI double from Nathen Voss which scored Black and Rogers to regain the lead at 4-2. P.K. Walsh added another run with a roped, two-out single to score Voss from third. 

Alex Birge cut the lead to 5-3 for the Saints when he launched his first home run of the year in the 4th inning. Unfazed by the Saint’s signs of life, Max Belyeu built on the Forester’s lead by driving in Ryan Black with a hard-hit single to the outfield grass. The lead was extended to 6-3. 

In the 7th, Gregory Pace walked and stole, allowing him to score due to a throwing error by the Saint’s shortstop, Hammonds, on an infield single from Michael Lombardi. In the next inning, Nathen Voss tallied his third RBI of the night with a triple that was scorched off the wall in left field. Will Rogers flew around the bases from first to lengthen the Forester’s lead to 8-3. 

The offense did not stop there as they tacked on 4 more runs in the top of the 9th. P.K. Walsh scored on another error by the Saints’ defense and Will Rogers slapped an RBI double into the outfield to drive in Gianni Horvat. The last two scores were added by Max Belyeu and his 2 RBI single to create a final score of 12-3.

In a game that the Foresters once trailed in, they prevail and come out on top by a 9-run margin. The pitching was also top-notch, holding the Saints to a mere three runs and racking up 13 total strikeouts. 

The Santa Barbara Foresters continue their series with the Arroyo Seco Saints at home on Thursday, June 15. Come catch the ball game at Perishing Park with the first pitch being thrown at 6:00 p.m. All Forester’s games can be heard live on AM 1290 radio; or listen online or stream live via the Foresters website, www.sbforesters.org.