Foresters shortstop Shane Kroker steps in front of second baseman Jeff McNiel to make a play during the Foresters' season-opener at UCSB on Friday. (Presidio Sports Photo)
Wichita State's Mitch Moorman picked up the victory in his Foresters debut by striking out six batters in five innings.
It was a strong start in almost every way.
Leadoff man Brett Vertigan lifted a 1-0 pitch over the right-field fence in the bottom of the first inning, and the Santa Barbara Foresters proceeded to roll to an 8-0 victory over the visiting San Diego Waves in Friday’s season-opener at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
Fourth-year Forester Chase Yost, who hadn’t hit a homer since opening day two years ago, batted in the ninth spot and also blasted a solo shot in the game as the two-time NBC World Series champs racked up 14 hits.
On the mound, 6-foot-6 Wichita State hurler Mitch Moorman got the win by allowing four hits over five innings, striking out six Waves. He was relieved by Brandon Pierce of the University of Nebraska, who allowed just one hit in the final four innings.
“It was great. We had a couple home runs from guys who don’t normally hit home runs. We had nice pitching and didn’t walk a lot of guys, two first-to-thirds and two double-plays,” said manager Bill Pintard. “They kinda bought in, and it was a nice day. I really enjoyed it.”
Yost is one of three veteran Foresters (1-0) who made a splash in the season’s first game. After missing his collegiate season at the University of San Diego with a broken hand, he started his summer campaign with a double, a walk and a stolen base to go along with the solo homer. Pintard said that Yost’s performance was the most exciting part of the day for him.
“He’s been with us a long time, and Chase’s performance today was the highlight for me,” he said.
Said Yost, “Last time I hit a home run here I was coming out of high school, going to San Diego… I had a lot of people come out to see me today, which felt great because I haven’t played for awhile. Everybody knew what it meant to me.”
Shane Kroker returns to the infield this summer after a stellar season at Chico State. The gritty shortstop had two doubles, a single and two runs scored in the game. James Wharton, in his third year at first base for Santa Barbara, had a pair of stand-up doubles to finish the day.
The local flavor on the early season roster included playing time for Dos Pueblos grad and SBCC standout Robert Vickers, Nipomo High grad and second-year Forester Jeff McNeil, as well as Cate School alum Robbie Massar.
Santa Barbara scored three runs in the fourth thanks to three errors and a two-run double by Kroker. The hosts tacked on three more in the seventh after Massar led off with a walk and Kroker, Derek Legg and Zach McDonell followed with singles. Richard Stock would add another base knock before the frame ended.
The Waves (0-1)got two hits apiece from Tyler Benard and Mack Sullivan, while starter Clayton Voechting absorbed the loss after giving up five runs (three earned) on three just over three and two-thirds innings.
On the mound for Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. game will be Ian McCarthy, who joined the Foresters for their third-place run at the NBC World Series in Wichita last season and was lights-out in the tournament. The roster will continue to change and fill out as the season settles into a rhythm as Santa Barbara goes for its ninth consecutive California Collegiate League crown.
Saturday’s game will be broadcast on AM 990 KTMS as well as sbforesters.org.
