By Bianca Ascencio (Photo by Lexi Brintle)
Clear skies and sunshine greeted the Foresters on the fourth game of their five game homestand at Eddie Matthews Field.
Foresters are 9-1, coming into play on Saturday with AJ Krodel on the mound to start a two game stint against San Diego Bombers. Krodel began the game with two strikeouts and paved the way for the Foresters to dominate.
After an interference call on Addison Klepsch for the first out, Terrence Kiel gets on base with a hard hit single and steal of second to start it for the Foresters. Two back-to-back walks load the bases for the Foresters. The ‘Sters capitalize on an error from the Bombers and a double from Sawyer Farr drives in his tenth and eleventh run giving the ‘Sters the early lead of 2-0. The fun did not end there for the ‘Sters, as TCU’s Brady Dallimore drove in three for his second home run of the season to make it 5-0. The Bombers sent a hard hit one hopper to Easton Moomau for the first out of the inning before Krodel struck out the next two Bombers to end the second inning. After a Bombers pitching change the Foresters find the groove. Brenton Clark starts off the inning with a hard hit single up the middle and Sawyer Farr follows him with a walk, and is the fifth Forester to advance with a walk today. University of South Carolina’s Caleb Hoover drives in a run with a single hammered up the middle to give the Foresters the lead of six in the bottom of the third. Krodel continues his dominant start against the Bombers collecting his eighth strikeout of the game, as the Bombers continue quietly. Easton Rulli stunts a four pitch walk before he steals second to get it started for the Foresters, and is the second lead off man in consecutive innings to get on base for Santa Barbara. The Foresters continue on quietly behind the dominant Krodel who goes five innings with three hits, zero runs earned and ten strikeouts. Krodel had 20 strikeouts this season and looks to continue his dominance. Tyler Phenow comes in relief for the Foresters. Two pop-outs and a strikeout retire the side, and make it 15 strikeouts for the Foresters today. The Bombers brought in their first run of the game in the eighth off a base hit from Thomas Williams to make it 7-1.
A one out walk and a steal for Addison Klepsch starts off the eighth, Kiel hits a line drive to center field and Klepsch scores with ease to bring the Foresters up 8-1.
A 1-2-3 ninth inning for Elliot Gallegos caps the game for the Foresters. The Foresters pitching took cruise control with 16 strikeouts today versus the Bombers.
“AJ Krodel 5 innings, 10 strikeouts dominated the whole game. Tyler Phenow..has been having a good first inning..pitched a clean second inning. That’s the best Elliot Gallegos has thrown” said Coach Bill Pintard, “Very pleased because they’re improving, every outing they’re improving, anytime we can keep them to one run, we’re very happy.”
The Foresters are 7-0 at home so far this season and 10-1 this season.
The final game of the homestand for the Foresters is Sunday June 22 at 2:30 at Eddie Matthews Field versus the San Luis Obispo Blues. Come watch the game with the gates opening at 1:00 P.M. or catch the game on our YouTube channel with commentary from Hunter Shumake and Nate Martin.
