A season-high nine runs was more than enough for the Santa Barbara Foresters on Thursday in a 9-1 victory over the Santa Paula Halos in the California Collegiate League opener.
The victory improves Santa Barbara to 5-0 to start the season.
Austen Williams pitched six innings and allowed one run and one hit in his Forester debut. Patrick Weigel struck out five in three hitless innings of scoreless relief.
Santa Paula’s only damage was a solo home run off Williams by Taylor Kahanowitch.
Leadoff batter Ben Johnson broke the ice for the Forester offense with a two-run home run in the first inning. The blast was Santa Barbara’s first round-tripper of the season.
Shortstop Keaton Jones was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Steven Reveles, Tyler Cohen, Chris Stroh and Alex Sanchez also drove in runs for the Foresters.
On Friday the Foresters welcome the Neptune Beach Pearl to Goleta for the first of a two-game set. Friday and Saturday’s games begin at 5:00 p.m.
