COMPTON — It was a perfect way to turn things around.
After losing three straight and opening the California Collegiate League season at 0-2, the Santa Barbara Foresters woke up and avoided a sweep by drubbing the host Academy Barons 13-1 on Thursday night in Compton.
“This was great. It was good to see the hitters come out and do their job. Everybody got to play, and it was a good feeling tonight,” said Dan Yokubaitis, in his third year as the Foresters’ pitching coach.
First baseman James Wharton hit homers in his first three at-bats as the Foresters had a 12-1 lead after four innings. All three were absolutely crushed over the left field fence.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before. We were wondering in the dugout whether they were going to keep pitching to him after the second home run, and they did,” said Yokubaitis.
Wichita State’s Tim Kelley, who was 7-1 as a Forester last season, picked up the win by striking out seven in six innings of work, allowing just four hits and one run.
San Marcos High senior Riley Moore made his second appearance of the season for the Foresters and hit a single up the middle to account for one of Santa Barbara’s 16 hits. He is now 2-for-2 on the year with an RBI.
The Foresters (3-3, 1-2 CCL) play in San Luis Obispo against the Blues on Friday evening. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m., and all games are broadcast on AM 1490 KIST and www.sbforesters.org.
