By Emma del Sol
All but one ‘Ster reached base safely today as the ‘Sters sweep the Capitalists 8-5. Jaylin Davis hit his team and league leading sixth home run of the season as the ‘Sters were able to overcome late-inning rallies by the Capitalists. With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, the Capitalists loaded the bases, but the ‘Sters were able to get out of the jam as Troy Cruz struck out the batter, Cole Krmarzick, to end the game. Krmarzick was the third strikeout of the inning for Cruz.
Dylan Bein started the game for the ‘Sters, going five innings, striking out five, and giving up two runs on five hits and two walks. Bein won his second game of the season today.
The ‘Sters roughed up starter Cameron Avila-Leeper in the first four innings, scoring five runs on four hits, four walks, and a couple of errors. The ‘Sters started things off in the bottom of the first inning as lead-off batter Colt Atwood, hit a line-drive dingle to left. Atwood then stole second and on a throwing error by the catcher to second, was able to score the first run of the game.
The Capitalists came back in the top of the second inning and were able to score two runs, but the ‘Sters were able to tie the game in the bottom of the second off of an RBI double by Cody Walker.
After that the ‘Sters never looked back. They scored three runs in the third, one in the fifth, one in the sixth, and one in the seventh. The Capitalists were able to cut into the ‘Sters lead in the sixth and make it a two run game, but that was the closest they got.
Ford Stainback extended his hitting streak to ten games, with a leadoff double in the bottom of the third. Davis and Montalbano loaded the bases and on a two-out walk to AJ Balta with the bases loaded, the ‘Sters were able to take the lead. Jake Vickerson then smashed a double to the gap in centerfield to bring home two more runs.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Davis crushed a 2-1-count pitch to straightaway center field for his sixth home run of the year.
While the PUF Capitalists pitchers walked seven Foresters, they were able to strike out twelve ‘Sters in the process.
The ‘Sters relievers; Ryan Helsely, Lucas Benenati, and Cruz came in for four innings of relief. Helsely was able to get out of a two-men on no out situation by getting the final out on a strikeout. He gave up two runs on two hits and two walks. Benenati and Cruz were both able to get out of two-out bases loaded situations. With the go-ahead run at-bat for the Capitalists and the bases loaded, Cruz was able to strike out the number nine hitter on four pitches to end the game and get the save for the ‘Sters.
The ‘Sters are back in action Tuesday at 6pm as they face archrival SLO Blues on the road.
