The Santa Barbara Foresters won 5-3 in the first of a two-game series against the visiting Menlo Park Legends on Tuesday.
“Menlo Park is a really good team, so anytime you can pick up a win against a team like that, it’s always a good win,” said third baseman Graham Saiko, who went 2-4 in the game with a triple and RBI..
Santa Barbara's Jared Womack is called safe on a close play at second base.
Winning pitcher Kevin Chambers threw five innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out eight. Chambers tossed two of his eight strikeouts in the first inning, quieting Menlo’s batters 1-2-3.
“Our starting pitcher pitched very well. We made good pitches when we had to,” said Foresters manager Bill Pintard.
The Foresters scored two in the bottom of the first after two walks from Menlo’s starting pitcher Curtis Camilli. With runners on first and second, Jared Womack knocked a single into right center putting the Foresters on the board.
The Legends scored a pair of runs in the second and third, tying the game at two, but were unable to catch up after the Foresters posted a three spot during the bottom of the fourth inning.
Menlo Park out-hit Santa Barbara, producing 10 hits while the Foresters only tallied six.
“It was kind of bend but don’t break,” Pintard said of Menlo’s four hit lead, adding “[Saiko] would be my player of the game. He’s been hitting the ball really, really well.”
Second baseman Brandon Young launched a double off Menlo’s pitching staff raking in two more runs for the Foresters in the fourth. James Wharton also drove in a run for Santa Barbara in the game.
“I’m just pleased with the effort all the way around,” Pintard said.
The Foresters are now 11-5 on the season while the Legends drop to 12-3. The teams play again Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
