The Santa Barbara Foresters are living and dying by the big inning — and for the second straight night, it worked to their favor.
After falling behind 6-3 after two innings, the Foresters used a four-run eighth and two-run ninth to knock off the San Luis Obispo Blues, 11-7, in a California Collegiate League clash at Sinsheimer Field.
The Foresters took the lead for good in eighth behind a run-scoring single from Ryan Cash, a two-run single by Eric Kennedy and Cash scored on a passed ball.
Santa Barbara got some breathing room in the top of the ninth, with Tevin Tucker smacking a two-out, two-run double.
The Foresters had 12 hits as a team, with Spencer Jones homering for the second straight game, while Jacob Katzfey had three hits. Zach Presno, Tucker and Jones all had two hits.
After the Blues roughed up Foresters starter Jake Jackson, the Santa Barbara bullpen calmed things down, limiting the Blues to four hits over the final seven innings. As a staff, the Foresters had 14 strikeouts, led by Clayton Beeter’s seven over three innings.
Santa Barbara moves to 26-8 overall and 24-7 in league play.
The Foresters remain on the road today for a 4:30 p.m. game at the Conejo Oaks.
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