By Emma del Sol
The Foresters end archrival SLO Blues nine game win streak, stomping them 10-3. The ‘Sters were out for revenge against the Blues after their 8-5 loss last Thursday where three of the ‘Sters were hit by Blues pitching, including David Greer, who suffered a broken hand. The ‘Sters came out swinging in the first two innings, scoring six runs and driving starting pitcher Zach Hanson out of the game after only an inning and two thirds. Granger Studdard had a season high five RBI today with a triple, single, and a bases loaded walk.
Brandon Quintero made his first start of the season for the ‘Sters after pitching 12 innings from the bullpen. Quintero went five and two-thirds strong innings, striking out five and giving up two runs. Quintero was helped out of men-on jams with three ground ball double plays up the middle. Stainback to AJ Balta for one, Steven Reveles to Balta for the other, and Reveles to Stainback to Balta for the third.
In the top of the first inning the ‘Sters were able to load the bases with no outs, but were only able to get one run off a bases loaded walk to Granger Studdard.
All nine batters came up to the plate in the top of the second inning as the ‘Sters scored five runs on five hits. Colt Atwood had a single up the middle to bring home AJ Kennedy who reached on an infield single. Atwood then stole his team leading 24th and 25th bases of the year. Ford Stainback extended his hitting streak to ten games with a single up the middle. Jaylin Davis walked for the second time to load the bases. With one out, on a 2-1 pitch, Studdard hit a hard ball down the right field line for a bases clearing triple. Studdard now leads the league with 35 RBI. Brett Boswell then had the sixth hit of the inning with an infield single to score Studdard, to put the ‘Sters up 6-0.
Stainback had his third single of the game in the top of the sixth. Jake Vickerson, who came in for Davis in the fourth inning, had a perfectly hit bunt down the third baseline to put runners on first and second for the ‘Sters. Studdard then drove in his fifth run of the game with a single up the middle.
Jon Williamson came in to relieve Quintero in the bottom of the sixth. Williamson got out of the two-men on two-out situation by striking out Tyler Anderson looking. Williamson was also helped out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth inning as the ‘Sters turned their fourth double play of the night. Williamson pitched two and a third innings of shutout baseball.
In the top of the ninth inning, Jeremy Montalbano hit a double off the center field wall to drive in Vickerson and Studdard who both reached on walks. Montalbano now leads the team in doubles with twelve and is also tied for the league lead in doubles. On a wild pitch Montalbano scored, giving the ‘Sters a 10-2 lead.
Troy Cruz came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning, striking out Zach Zehner, but gave up a homerun to Jacob Hoyle. He was then able to strike out Kyle Raubinger and Austin O’Brian for the final outs.
The ‘Sters are back in action tomorrow at 5pm at home as they face the Santa Paula Halos in the rubber game of their three game series.
