SANTA BARBARA – Outfielder Blake Brown had two home runs, and pitcher Austin Kubitza struck out seven batters in three hitless innings in an all-around impressive performance for the Foresters against the MLB Academy Barons.
The Foresters looked to avenge the previous night’s loss, and did just that scoring eight runs on seven hits for an 8-1 victory over their California Collegiate League (CCL) rival.
Foresters’ lead-off man Brett Vertigan (UCSB) doubled in the first inning to start Santa Barbara’s high-powered batting performance. Vertigan then stole third and was brought home by Derek Legg (CSU Fullerton). James Wharton extended the early lead with a two run homer deep into left field.
The Foresters continued to torment Barons’ starter Joe Spizziri (Notre Dame) in the second inning as Jeff McVaney drove a double into left field to score two runs.
“We’ve lost the first game of a couple series, and we’ve come back to take care of business,” Foresters’ head coach Bill Pintard said. “Tomorrow is key for us.”
The Foresters offense stagnated after the first two innings, but starter Tom Lemke (Nebraska) and reliever Kubitza (Rice) protected the lead. Lemke threw five innings, and allowed four hits and the Barons’ only run.
Kubitza started fast and did not slow up. The Rice University standout struck out the side after relieving Lemke in the sixth, did the same in the eighth, and was perfect in his three innings of work.
The only offensive output from the Foresters after the two opening innings came from Blake Brown (Missouri). Brown struggled early in the season with strikeouts, and led the team with 14 coming into Saturday’s game. His poor judgment at the plate continued in his first two at bats as he struck out both times. But in the sixth, Brown crushed a Derek Sesma (CSU Long Beach) slider long past the outfield fence at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
“I’ve been here a long time,” Pintard said. “Even in the metal bat era, I don’t know if I’ve seen a ball hit that far.”
In his next at-bat, Brown blasted a two-run shot over two Barons’ outstretched gloves and the left field fence.
“I had been striking out a lot here and it was getting to me,” Brown said. “I actually had to go blow off steam in the locker room. When I came up to bat I just tried to eliminate the outside world and get into my own little world, and it felt really good.”
In addition to stellar pitching and hitting, the Foresters’ defense also excelled. Outfielder Lance Roenicke (UCSB) covered nearly all the ground in left field to chase down a fly ball in the second inning, and catcher Tyler Pearson (Rice) gunned down a runner attempting steal second on two separate occasions.
The Foresters (14-4 overall, 10-4 CCL) will travel back down to Compton to finish the series against the Barons (5-14 overall, 5-14 CCL).
All Forester games are broadcast on AM 990 KTMS and www.sbforesters.org.
NOTES: Lance Roenicke’s father is former major-leaguer and current Milwaukee Brewer’s manager Ron Roenicke… Austin Kubitza led the Rice Owls in innings pitched this past spring as a freshman… The Foresters are currently first place in the CCL, while the Barons are last.
