SLO BLUES 5 v. Santa Barbara Foresters 3
July 20, 2011, Sinsheimer Stadium, San Luis Obispo, CA
The San Luis Obispo Blues (27-11 overall, 18-10 CCL) played a solid overall game to defeat the Santa Barbara Foresters (28-9, 20-9) by the score of 5-3. The Blues only had 1 error, and had timely hits in the 8th inning to pull away from their rivals.
Dylan Mendoza started the game for the Blues, pitching well throughout 7.2 innings. He allowed just 2 earned runs and struck out 4. Josh Frye (3-3) earned the win, and Kyle Martin (3) earned the save with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Blues opened up the game strong, scoring 1 run in the first inning on a RBI single by Brannon Champagne. Champagne added another RBI single in the 4th to put the Blues ahead 2-1, and Dylan Gavin hit an RBI single in the 5th to push the lead to 3-1. The Foresters came back in the 8th inning, though, scoring 2 runs. The Blues then scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th to win the ballgame on a Chad Christensen double off the wall in left center field to score Zac Elgie and Gavin.
Champagne finished the game 2-3 with 2 RBI, and Christensen also finished with 2 RBI. Elgie scored 2 runs, and Gavin also had an RBI.
The Blues are now just 1.5 games out of first place in the CCL behind the Foresters, and the two teams are playing for the last time of the season tomorrow night in Sinsheimer Stadium. The game starts at 6 pm, and the foul balls are free for the fans to keep courtesy of Rancho Grande Motors. The Blues charity partner is the SLO Jazz Festival.
