Clutch defensive plays by right fielder Max Belyeu and shortstop Jalin Flores in the eighth inning enabled the Santa Barbara Foresters to cling to a one-run lead and eventually defeat the MLB Academy Barons, 3-2, in a California Collegiate League baseball game on Tuesday night in Compton.
It was the third straight win for the Foresters.
The Barons opened the eighth inning with a double against Santa Barbara reliever Jaden Agassi. But the defense came up big to prevent the tying run from scoring. First, Belyeu made a diving catch for the second out and then Flores snagged a line drive to end the inning.
Flores was making debut after playing for Texas in the NCAA Super Regionals. He also recorded his first hit in the game as did DH Eamonn Lance of Santa Clara.
Ryan Black had three hits to lead the Forester offense.
Westmont’s Sean Youngerman came on in the ninth and retired the Barons in order to earn the save.
The Foresters did all their scoring in the first inning. Daniel Patterson led off with a walk and advanced to third on an error on a ball hit by Black. He stole second and Patterson raced home on the play for the first run. Black scored the second run on a RBI double by Will Rogers. Rogers stole third and came home on a single by Belyeu.
Santa Barbara starting pitcher Gage Wood was dominant in the first four innings, allowing just five baserunners.
The Barons got a couple of baserunners on in the fifth before the Foresters went to the bullpen.
Michael Lombardi walked the first batter to load the bases and a one-out wild-pitch scored the first run. Lombardi struck out the next batter but reloaded the bases with walk. Zach Erdman came in and threw a wild pitch for the Barons’ second run.
The Foresters managed to get out of the inning without any more runs scoring.
Santa Barbara (5-3) and the Barons meet again on Thursday at Pershing Park to start a four-game homestand.