The Santa Barbara Foresters have yet to be scored upon at the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kansas after the defending champions posted their second straight shutout victory on Sunday, a 5-0 decision over the Wellington Heat.
Santa Barbara opened the tournament with a 4-0 victory over the Northwest Honkers on Friday. Now 2-0 in Wichita, the result gives the Foresters a day off on Monday. Their Tuesday game is at a time and against a team to be determined.
Starting pitcher Drew Van Orden maintained the Foresters’ edge on the mound by striking out seven in seven scoreless innings. Van Orden is three shy of the all-time franchise record for strikeouts in a season.
Tejay Antone and Hunter Lemke cleaned up with an inning each.
Santa Barbara pitching has been unbeatable so far. In 18 innings, opponents have no runs, six hits and 17 strikeouts. Parker French earned the win on Friday night.
Wellington’s starter Brandon Marris did his part to give the Heat a chance to win. Marris turned in seven scoreless innings himself to match Van Orden.
Santa Barbara broke a scoreless tie with a run in the top of the eighth. The Foresters plated four more in the ninth inning.
Jacob Felts remained one of the most dangerous bats in the tournament, following up a 3-for-4 night on Friday with a solo home run on Sunday. Shane Hoelscher is 4-for-7 in two games.
