The
Indians carried a 5-4 lead into the ninth inning
Thursday at Elks Field, only to have it squandered
on a two-run single by Foresters first baseman
Andy Preston. Preston had a monster night for
Santa Barbara, collecting three hits and five
RBI.
John
Thomas started and threw well for the Tribe, giving
up just three unearned runs in 7 1/3 innings while
striking out six. Tyrese McDaniel led the offensive
charge for the Indians with three hits, while
Cory Morales and Kyle Gerhart each chipped in
two.
Micah
Spencer came on in the ninth to try and save the
5-4 game but walked the first batter who was moved
to second on a sacrifice bunt. The next batter
Poulk singled to the left side to put runners
on first and third with one away. Leadoff hitter
Kenny Williams stepped in and hit a slow chopper
to 1B Kris Haycock. Haycock fielded the ball,
thought about throwing home and then went to first
where the speedy Williams beat the throw, tying
the game at 5-5. Spencer got Mike Torres on a
sweeping breaking ball but walked the #3 hitter
Devin Shepard.
Manager
Scott Nickason summoned reliever Holden Sprague,
who was roughed up by the 'Sters Tuesday night,
and 1B Andy Preston poked a liner past 3B Blake
Crosby to give Santa Barbara their first lead
of the game 7-5.
Foresters
closer Mike Kinney shut the door in the bottom
half of the ninth, getting some nice defense from
SS Dallas Poulk on a Kyle Gerhart shot up the
middle, and striking out Evan Wells and Tyrese
McDaniel looking.
The
Indians fall to 8-5 overall and 5-2 in the CCL.
The Foresters survive and remain undefeated at
10-0 and 6-0 in CCL. These two teams will meet
again here in Santa Maria next Wednesday the 20th.
