By: Bianca Ascencio & Oskar Stark (Photo by Lexi Brintle)
It just takes one! That’s an old baseball saying and it came true Sunday afternoon. In the eighth, with the ’Sters down 4-1 to the Blues, pinch-hitter Terrence Kiel smacked the first pitch he saw for a bases-clearing double to tie the game, and then scored on Addison Klepsch’s single to make it 5-4. The comeback thrilled a packed house and made up for several earlier chances the Foresters let slip by the boards.
Foresters starter Zach James was masterful, throwing six shutout innings while allowing only two hits. The ‘Sters got on the board first. Cole Chamberlain muscled one through the 3-4 hole for a single. An error and a couple wild pitches allowed Chamberlain to score and give the Sters a 1-0 lead after 1.
In the second, the Blues committed an error allowing Zane Becker to reach base, and Sawyer Farr followed with a walk. Caleb Hoover advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. However, despite having runners on second and third with one out, the Foresters couldn’t capitalize—Rulli struck out and Ryan grounded out to the pitcher. The Blues made defensive miscues, but the Foresters failed to score.
In the third, it was deja vu as Santa Barbara had two in scoring position but came up with a bagel.
A 1-2-3 inning for the Foresters as Zach James collects his second strikeout of the game to keep the Blues scoreless through 3. James goes through the 5th with minimal motion from the Blues offense as he retires the first and gets into trouble with ground rule double by Button. James then gets a ground out to third holding the runner at second and a pop out to finish his 5th frame of the day as the ‘Sters still lead 1-0.
Riley Marcotte entered the game in the 5th for Bryce Johnson the southpaw, was able to go up 3 up 3 down in the 5th with some great defense helped him by the first baseman Tallerman and Royal in center helping the Blues go into the 6th still down 1-0.
The Foresters kept leaving the door open and in the seventh, the Blues walked through. With runners on the corners, a potential stolen base was cut down at second but on the play, the runner from third scored to tie the game 1-1.
In the top of the 8th, San Luis broke Foresters fans hearts with three runs. Ethan Royal walked and advanced to third on Diego Murillo’s single, with Murillo taking second on the throw. Jaden Barfield came in to pitch for the Forestetrs and got an out before Zach Tallerman’s RBI single put the Blues up 2-1. A catcher’s error scored another run, and Kosei Suzuki’s RBI triple made it 4–1 Blues. Barfield ended the inning with a strikeout, but not before the Blues scored three.
Time for a little late-inning magic. Brenton Clark started things off for he Foresters in the 8th with a single to left field. After three consecutive walks and a pitching change from the Blues, Kiel came through. The righty smacked a line drive to the left field corner and the bases cleared, tying the score at 4-4.
“I was prepared, [manager Bill] Pintard told me I was going to come in and hit in this situation,” said Kiel. “All it took was one pitch…I always jump on a really good pitch and I got what I wanted.”
After a wild pitch that moved Kiel to third, Addison Klepsch came through with a single to give the Sters a 5-4 lead.
Kiel sang his praises for Addison Klepsch who drove in the winning run. “If it wasn’t for him the game might still be going.”
Steel Eaves came in to close the 9th with the top of the Blues’ order due up. He struck out the leadoff hitter, then got Royal on a grounder to third that Moomau handled nicely. Eaves ended the game by striking out Murillo, earning the save and sealing a 5–4 win for the Foresters.
“It was really fun, it was exciting. We had been knocking on their door all game long. When we had an opportunity there at the end we came through,” said Pintard about the comeback win. “We’re on a roll right now and we’re feeling good”
The Foresters play Monday, June 30 at The Great Park versus the OC Riptide, the next home game will be July 2nd versus the Academy Barons or catch the live stream on Youtube.
