6/17/11, Ceasar Uyesaka Stadium, Santa Barbara, CA
The San Luis Obispo Blues (8-2 overall, 5-2 CCL) won game one of an important road series 10-4 against heated Central Coast rivals Santa Barbara Foresters (9-2, 5-2). The victory at UCSB's Caesar Uyesaka Stadium put the Blues and Foresters into a two-way tie atop the California Collegiate League (CCL) standings.
The Blues continued their fast-starting ways, jumping out to a 7-0 lead after the top of the third inning. Blues batters took advantage of Forester pitchers' inability to find the strike zone, drawing four walks and getting hit by a pitch twice in the first three innings. Offensive stars of the game include infielders Zac Elgie and Alex Detz and outfielder Tanner Witt. Elgie and Witt each had three hits and a run scored. Elgie's hits were highlighted by a two-run double in the sixth while Witt also added a stolen base to his productive afternoon. Detz contributed to the Blues' early lead by reaching base twice by singles and scoring in his first two at bats.
Relief Pitcher Jason Freeman (1-0) earned the win, coming in the fifth inning after starter Travis Huber staked the Blues a 7-2 lead after four innings pitched. Freeman pitched four scoreless innings, striking out three Forester batters and giving up only one hit while Huber struck out two and allowed only three hits over his four innings of work. Forester starter Mitch Mormann got the loss for Santa Barbara after giving up four runs, walking two Blues batters, and hitting another.
The Blues hope to take sole possession of first place of the CCL standings by taking game two of the three game series Saturday afternoon. First pitch is at 5 pm at UCSB's Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
