Eighth-Inning Outburst Propels Waves Past Foresters

The San Diego Waves downed the Santa Barbara Foresters 8-6 at Eddie Mathews Field on Friday, handing Santa Barbara their first two-game losing streak of the season. Although the game was close most of the way, with both teams having multiple two-run innings, the Waves pounced in the eighth, grabbing four runs and overcoming the CCL South leaders.

The Waves jumped ahead in this one, grabbing two runs on three hits in the top of the third after 'Sters starter Zane Burns got through the first two in rapid speed, striking out four in the process.

It was an immediate response for Santa Barbara, who tied the game at. Christian Turner led off with a double that was initially called a lineout, but overturned after a discussion between officials. Joseph Sandusky then doubled him home and was eventually driven in by Addison Klepsch.

A couple of doubles and a hit by pitch gave San Diego their two-run lead right back, as the top of the fourth saw the game open up to 4-2.

Henry Prindl took over for Burns in the fifth, getting some help from third basemen Landon Schafer, who made a great pickup at third on his backhand and fired a strike to Josh Woodworth at first.

Two more runs were summoned by Santa Barbara in their half of the fifth, evening the game once more. Sandusky added another hit to his day, followed by a Carter Rutenbar walk and a Klepsch walk that loaded the bases and forced Sandusky in when Kurt Ippolito walked. Makani Nabarro then sped his way down the line to avoid the double play and picked up the game-tying RBI on the fielder's choice.

Lucien Wechsburg came on in the top of the seventh and was greeted with a run-scoring double. That gave the Waves the lead back on a broken play from the relay from right field.

San Diego then didn't look back.

With Luke Cornelison on the bump, getting two quick outs, Santa Barbara looked to keep things close heading to their half of the eighth. In the snap of a finger, the Waves had loaded the bases, following it up with an RBI hit-by-pitch and a single that brought home two more. The four-run advantage is the largest for either side up to this point in the eighth.

Santa Barbara cut into the lead in their half, with Sawyer Farr continuing his stellar summer by adding a double and an RBI to his totals.

Carter Speights was tasked with the ninth inning and got through the Waves in quick succession, only conceding a single baserunner to keep the Foresters within three.

That wasn't enough, however, as the 'Sters were only able to muster a single run, with Zane Backer gapping an RBI single. This loss drops Santa Barbara to 16-3 on the year.

This six-game homestand comes to an end this weekend, with two straight against the Menlo Park Legends. Catch all the action on the Foresters YouTube channel.