By Emma del Sol
A double play in the bottom of the ninth inning gone wrong allows the ‘Sters to win their third walk-off of the year. Pinch hitter Dillon Dobson grounded into what was a routine double play, but on a throwing error by the shortstop to first, AJ Balta was able to come home giving the ‘Sters the 2-1 victory over the South Bay Saints. Andrew Lantrip had yet another exceptional performance, pitching seven and two third innings of one run baseball.
Lantrip gave up one run on five hits while striking out nine. Lantrip now has 24 strikeouts on the year and has only walked five batters in four starts. Lantrip is tied for third in strikeouts on the Foresters.
Jaylin Davis had his second homerun in two days with a powerful blast in the bottom of the first inning. Davis now leads the team with five homeruns on the season. That was the ‘Sters only run until the bottom of the ninth inning.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Balta singled to right with one out. David Greer, who turned 19 today, was hit by a pitch. Dobson came in to pinch hit for catcher AJ Kennedy with one out. Dobson hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop that got Greer at second but the throw to first was wild allowing Balta to come home from third for the winning run.
Jon Williamson came in and pitched one and one third innings of shutout baseball, striking out two while retiring all five batters he faced.
Before the ‘Sters game today, interns and members of the Foresters pitching staff participated in the annual State Street 4th of July Parade. The ‘Sters float was decked out in red, white, and blue crepe paper and had flags and bows draped across the sides. The players aboard the float threw out chewing up, candy, and squirted parade watchers with water guns, a Foresters tradition.
The ‘Sters have won their first two games in the Rawlings California Cup and look for win number three Saturday against the Conejo Oaks at 4pm!
