By Matthew Landis
The Foresters recorded their seventh straight victory, rocking the Neptune Beach Pearl with fifteen hits in a 10-2 rout. UCSB product and EP 19 Beverage Player of the Game Cameron Cuneo led the charge from the mound, striking out nine batters and only giving up four hits in eight innings of work. Also extremely active on the base paths, the ‘Sters swiped seven bags, putting on an electrifying offensive show.
In the first innings, the Foresters batted through their lineup, scoring four runs to lead off the ballgame. Jaylin Davis started off the game with a line drive double and Ohio State product Grant Davis joined him on base after getting pegged by Pearl pitcher Noah Villegas. Advancing to third on a fielder’s choice, the ‘Sters executed a stellar double steal, scoring their first run of the contest. The rally continued with the Foresters drawing a multitude of walks and with RBI singles by Jeremy Montalbano and David Greer. After one inning of play, the ‘Sters were up 4-0 on the Pearl.
In the second innings, the Foresters continued their shelling of the Pearl. Grant Davis, who went 3-4 with an RBI started off the inning with a single. He then promptly stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Davis scored off of a Montalbano single. The bottom of the ‘Sters lineup came alive, with Granger Studdard and Dave Graybill on base with a single and walk respectively. With the bases loaded, the Foresters ended their inning with a Reggie Southall groundout, still scoring one run however.
Finally in the sixth inning, the Neptune Beach Pearl answered the Foresters’ scoring run. Designated hitter Ozzy Braff hit a scorching leadoff double to right center, reaching second base easily. Advancing to third on a groundout by third basemen Myles Gregory, Braff scored on a fielder’s choice that made the score 5-1.
Jaylin Davis, 2-6 on the day, reached base on an error in the sixth inning. He then scored from a double off of the bat of Grant Davis. The ‘Sters led 6-1 and from then on, they never looked back.
In the next inning, the Foresters put three more runs up on the scoreboard. The bats came alive again, led by Southall, Greer and Grant Davis. Davis hit a towering triple over the center fielder’s head, giving him his third hit of the ballgame.
Showing signs of life, the Pearl scored another run in the eighth inning but that was not enough to overcome the slugging and pitching of the Foresters. Braff smashed a solo home run off of starter, Cuneo, making the score 9-2. Yet the Foresters answered back with a run of their own off of a sacrifice fly by David Greer that scored Montalbano.
The ‘Sters closed out their 10-2 rout with a save by Grant Davis, making them perfect on the season and perfect in conference play.
