Big Tom Lemke showed what he’s capable of on the mound Tuesday, and the Santa Barbara Foresters picked up a 4-0 win over visiting Team Vegas on a special day of tribute for the organization.
Jeff Gerke, father of the late Trent Gerke, threw out the first pitch on a day of remembrance for his son. Trent was a die-hard Foresters fan and a member of the team as a “Hugs for Cubs” kid last season as he battled leukemia. He passed away due to complications from the disease in November, at the age of 13.
Lemke, who is in his first year with the team, never met Trent but could see what an impact the young man had on the organization.
“The pre-game stuff really gave me a good feel for what that kid meant to this team. It was great to have his dad throw out the first pitch and see how the team supported him. It was great to be able to lift him up,” said Lemke, a 6-foot-8 Nebraska Cornhusker.
Lemke entered the game with an ERA over five and a 1-1 record over four starts, but dominated to the tune of 12 strikeouts through seven innings, allowing just two hits to pick up the victory.
“I didn’t feel very good in the bullpen before the game, but I got out there and had all three pitches working. I had my slider, my change-up and my fastball working on both sides of the plate,” he said.
The Foresters got all the offense they needed in the sixth inning, when they batted around. Jeremy Rathjen led off with a walk and Jeff McVaney followed with an RBI double. Michael Ratterree then laid down a bunt, and a throwing error allowed McVaney to score and Ratterree to go to second. James Wharton followed with an RBI sinlge, and Brandon Young and Walker Moore both added base-knocks before the inning ended.
Ryan Hawthorne pitched a hitless eighth and Cody Martin mowed ’em down in the ninth to pick up his sixth save.
Santa Barbara (20-7, 14-5 CCL) hosts Team Vegas (8-11 CCL) once again on Wednesday, with first pitch set for 5 p.m. All games are broadcast on AM 1490 and www.sbforesters.org.
