The Santa Barbara Foresters had a little anger left in the tank from Tuesday’s 10-inning loss to the Academy Barons, and they let it out right at the start on Wednesday.
Santa Barbara (30-10, 14-4) scored five runs in the first inning and ended up tallying 17 hits in a 10-2 win in the second meeting of the 3-game California Collegiate League series.
Tim Kelley, meanwhile, was calm and collected as he retired the first 12 Barons he faced, allowing just three batters to reach base in seven shutout innings of work.
“When he’s on the mound I can go read the sports section and by the time I’m finished it’s the fifth inning and I’ll see if I need to come get ya’,” joked Bill Pintard. “You can count on Tim Kelley.”
The 6-foot-6 righty our of Wichita State came into the game with a 0.75 ERA, and his record after the outing is now 5-0 in six starts.
“My slider was working pretty good today,” said Kelley. “And an early lead like that always gives you confidence you can go after guys and throw strikes.”
Jeremy Rathjen had a pair of doubles and a single on the day to go along with a walk and a stolen base, while Matt Valaika drove in two on a pair of doubles. The Barons fell to 10-21 overall and 8-13 in the CCL.
The final game of the series is set for 5 p.m. Thursday. All games are broadcast on AM 1490 KIST and www.sbforesters.org.
