Santa Barbara turned the tables in the nightcap, though, as a seven-run second inning, highlighted by Ryan Ferrer's triple, propelled the Foresters to a 12-2 victory. In fact, the game, scheduled for nine innings, was called on the ten-run rule when Fresno shortstop Brian McCall booted Gaby Halcovitch's grounder with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh.
On Sunday, the offensive prowess of Ferrer, who belted a home run, and Chris Koeper, who was 3-for-5 with a double and a triple, propelled the Foresters to a 10-2 lead, and Fresno's ninth-inning rally was cut short by Brett Hardy's catch on the warning track, giving Santa Barbara a 10-6 victory.
Despite suffering their first league loss, the Foresters boosted their league record to 10-1 this weekend, while the Royals dropped to 8-8. The next challenge for the Foresters will be the second place San Luis Blues, who come to Santa Barbara for a three-game series this weekend. But first, the the Santa Maria Stars are back in town Tuesday afternoon for a 4:30 game; the following night at 5:05 the Kern Royals will visit Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. Thursday night the Foresters visit the Kern Royals at Masters college, and then return home Saturday and Sunday to play league rivals San Luis Obispo. Starting time both days is five past noon; Saturday's slate is a doubleheader, with a single game Sunday to complete the homestand.
This is Joe P------k, Mr. Squishy Sports.