After a nine-game road trip, the Santa Barbara Foresters finally played back at home on Friday, picking up a 6-1 non-league victory over the Orange County Pioneers at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
Nick Melino batted in the leadoff spot and had a double, single, two walks, two runs scored, an RBI and three stolen bases. The Foresters stole six bases in the ballgame.
Nick Melino slides home during Friday's victory (James Sinclair photo).
“My goal was just to just see pitches and get on base as much as possible for the guys behind me, because we have a great lineup,” said Melino, who plays for the University of Nevada.
James Wharton hit his sixth home run of the year on a deep fly to left in the sixth inning. He now has six homers on the year, two more than any Forester hit last season. Five Forester pitchers combined for nine strikeouts, including ninth-inning hurler Cody Martin. The Gonzaga pitcher had a strikeout to bring his total to 10 on the season while facing just 15 batters.
Melino was playing in his hometown of Henderson (Nev.) for the Foresters in the team’s last three road games against Team Vegas, but he said being back in Santa Barbara is a relief. The Foresters went 6-3 on the trip after opening it with two straight losses.
“I’m so happy to be back. It’s great to get a good night’s sleep every night and not have to ride the bus everywhere,” said Melino.
The Foresters host the Seattle Studs on Saturday at 5 p.m.
