SANTA MARIA — The Santa Barbara Foresters bounced back from a disappointing loss to their rival, the Santa Maria Valley Packers, with a dominant 14-4 victory at Elks Field on Wednesday night.
Michael Ratterree belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the third, as the Foresters put up five runs in the inning to take a commanding 7-0 lead. Ratterree finished with four RBIs, as did Jeff McVaney, who went 3-for-4 and made a tremendous throw from left field late in the game to nab a runner tagging up from third.
Hoby Milner got the start, fanning seven batters while allowing just two hits with three walks in six solid innings of work.
“We really bounced back and played with a lot of energy and a lot of vigor,” said manager Bill Pintard. “It was an all-around good night.”
Jared Womack, the California Collegiate League’s leading hitter, had three RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base in the game. Walker Moore, in his fourth game with the team after finishing up the season with Cal State Fullerton, belted his first home run of the year, a solo shot in the seventh. Moore has played outfield, first base and third base over the four-game stretch, making him exceptionally valuable as the team continues to go through an injury-riddled stretch.
The Foresters, seeking their eighth consecutive CCL tile, are atop the league in winning percentage. Santa Barbara (16-6, 4-4) hosts the Packers in the rubber match of the series at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
