University of Texas sophomore Sam Stafford was absolutely brilliant on Friday, striking out 12 in six innings of work as the Santa Barbara Foresters beat the San Luis Obispo Rattlers 1-0 at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
Santa Barbara’s bats produced just four hits, and it wasn’t even a bat that drove in the run. Rather, Jeff McVaney was plunked by a breaking ball on the helmet with the bases loaded in the first inning to bring across the game’s only run.
It was all Stafford needed, as he and Matthew Reckling, Nolan Rudman and Cody Martin threw a combined two-hitter and set down the last nine Rattlers in order.
“Sam was sitting at 92 mph with his fastball almost the whole game,” said catcher Patric Tolentino. “I don’t even think he threw a curveball for a called strike, but he’s so good that he can throw a couple balls here and there. He’s great, man. He’s gonna be in the Big Leagues one day.”
That was high praise from the University of Nebraska catcher, who caught a Foresters staff last season that had an ERA under 2.00 for most of the season.
“We don’t have as many shutouts as we did at this point last year, but we’re using a different ball this year that’s a bit more bloated,” said Tolentino. “Last year, the balls we were using wouldn’t jump off the bat as much. I think our starting pitchers could be just as good this year, and the bullpen’s coming along too.”
Nick Melino had two of the Foresters’ four hits, both singles. The Foresters failed to get a hit after the fourth inning, and were struck out in order by DJ Gunderson, an SBCC submarine pitcher, who came on in relief for the Rattlers in the sixth inning.
The Foresters (13-5, 7-3) are now in a tie with the Academy Barons for first place in the California Collegiate League, while the Rattlers are in the cellar at 8-11, 2-10. The teams play again o Saturday night at 5 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. finale on Sunday. Saturday is “Ladies Night” at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, as female fans will be admitted for free.
All games are broadcast on AM 1490 and www.sbforesters.org.
