By Matthew Landis
The ‘Sters fell to the Southern California Catch in an extremely close game in a Father’s day matinee. The Foresters scored three runs on nine hits, yet they dropped the last game of the series to the Catch, unable to complete the sweep. In the ninth inning, the Foresters mounted a comeback with stealthy offense but that was not enough for them to overcome the Catch led by Perry Rigby. ‘Sters started Kenny Chapman pitched five innings, giving up four runs and striking out two batters en route to gaining the loss.
The Foresters started off rocky, giving up two runs in the first inning. Second basemen Cooper Esmay was hit by a pitch by ‘Sters starter Kenny Chapman. Center fielder Chance Gusbeth then lined a single past the glove of Foresters second basemen Reggie Southall. Cleanup hitter Cooper Esmay and continued his hot hand against the ‘Sters. He took the delivery from Chapman and smashed an RBI double over the right fielders’ head. With Gusbeth on third, Scott Gillespie hit a high sacrifice fly, making the score 2-0. Chapman got out of the jam, striking out Sam Thorne with the bases loaded in the first.
With a pair of doubles by Gusbeth and first basemen Cameron Bishop, the Catch pushed their lead to 3-0. Gusbeth lined a double deep to right center field and scampered over to third base on a sacrifice fly by Perry Rigby. Gusbeth then scored on a rocket to center field off of the bat of Bishop.
The Foresters have yet to wake up, looking extremely sluggish out on the field. In the top of the fifth, Esmay walked and stole second. Rigby hit his second double of the ballgame, scoring Esmay and lengthening the score to 4-0.
The ‘Sters awoke from their slumber in the bottom of the fifth. First basemen Vance Vizcaino hit a single up the middle, giving the Foresters their first baserunner of the inning. Right fielder Jake Vickerson came up with another single and was followed aboard by Cole Atwood, who came on base on a strikeout and a wild pitch. Outfielder Jake Vickerson was our EP 19 Beverage Player of the Game, going 2-4. Third basemen Bret Boswell lined an RBI single with the bases loaded, giving the ‘Sters their first and only run of the inning and making the score 4-1.
In the sixth inning, the ‘Sters slowly chipped away at the Catch’s lead. Pinch hitter Colin Yelich hit a screaming single up the middle. Vizcaino was pegged by Catch pitcher, and the ‘Sters had two runners aboard. Second basemen Reggie Southall hit a single and scored Yelich, and the score was 4-2.
In the ninth inning, the ‘Sters came back on the Catch, yet they were unable to complete the sweep. With two outs, Atwood hit an infield single, sparking an impressive rally for the Foresters. Boswell followed him on board, on first base due to a fielding error on the Catch’s first basemen. Dobson came up and lined the first pitch to right field, scoring Atwood from second and making the score 4-3. The ‘Sters rally fell short however, and they dropped their third game of the season.
