One Legendary Pitch, One Tough Loss In Santa Barbara

Before a single pitch on Friday night's game against the Foresters and SLO Blues was thrown, Eddie Mathews Field witnessed a moment that no one in attendance will ever forget. Longtime Santa Barbara Foresters host family member, devoted supporter, accomplished golfer, and 105-year-old United States Navy veteran, Stan Clothier, took center stage on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. Clothier, who proudly joked that he was "only throwing one pitch to save his arm" because he would be the Foresters' starting pitcher on Saturday, brought smiles and cheers from the crowd. 

Adding to the unforgettable moment was 9-year-old Gigi Bourdeau, who crouched behind home plate to receive the pitch from Clothier. Together, the pair created a remarkable baseball moment, becoming the oldest pitcher and youngest catcher to share the field for a ceremonial battery. 

An unforgettable celebration of the generations that make the Foresters so special in Santa Barbara. With the crowd still buzzing from the historic first pitch, the Foresters turned their attention to the game against their CCL North rivals SLO Blues. 

Despite drawing nine walks and getting another strong performance from the pitching staff, the Foresters managed just four hits Thursday afternoon as the SLO Blues handed Santa Barbara a 3 - 1 loss in a tightly contested CCL matchup. The defeat dropped the Foresters to 15 -2 in the summer while Blues improved to 17 - 4.

The afternoon quickly turned into a classic pitchers' duel. 

Foresters starter Hunter Vincent was electric to begin the game, striking out 7 of the first 12 Blues' batters in his three-inning appearance. However, San Luis Obispo capitalized on one defensive miscue in the second inning to manufacture the game's first run before creating more separation in the fourth. With one swing, Kyle Becker delivered the biggest hit of the day, launching a two-run home run that extended the Blues' lead to 3 - 0. It was SLO's only extra-base hit of the afternoon, but it proved to be all the offense they would ultimately need.

Santa Barbara's bullpen once again continued to battle to keep the game in reach. 

Joshua Woodworth worked two innings while allowing just one run and striking out two. Noah Waldeck followed with three scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit, including weak contact, throughout his outing. Will Jordan closed the game with a scoreless ninth, giving the Foresters four consecutive innings without allowing a run. 

In total, Santa Barbara pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts while allowing only one walk, continuing what has been one of the league's most dominant pitching staffs this season. Unfortunately, for the Foresters, the offense never found its rhythm. Santa Barbara was limited to just four hits while striking out 11 times, although the lineup consistently created many opportunities by working nine walks. The Foresters had stranded 12 runners on base, including multiple innings with runners in scoring position. 

Their lone breakthrough finally came in the sixth inning. 

Sawyer Farr reached base after drawing one of his game-high three walks before Kurt Ippolito lined in an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3 - 1. Ippolito finished as Santa Barbara's offensive bright spot, going 2 for 3 with a walk and the team's only RBI. Marcus Greis added the Foresters' lone extra base hit with a double, while Farr reached base three times via walks and scored the team's only run. 

San Luis Obispo's bullpen proved equally dominant after starter Corbin Giesen struck out four over the first three innings. Relievers for the Blues, Tre LaGrone III, Michael Rodriques, Brent Gallegos, and Chance Jasso combined to allow just three hits over the final six innings while preserving the victory. Jasso earned his second save of the summer after working the final innings. 

Although the Foresters had their chances to score with runners on base, timely pitching from the Blues prevented Santa Barbara from producing the big inning that has since become a trademark through this season so far. 

Catch the Foresters at Eddie Mathews Field on June 26th, versus the San Diego Waves at 4:30 PM! The game is also live-streamed on our YouTube channel. 

Ster it up!