The Santa Barbara Foresters struggled offensively for a second straight game with a 5-1 loss on Tuesday to the Arroyo Seco Saints at Jackie Robinson Field.
With the loss, the Foresters dropped to 18-8 but remained in first place in the California Collegiate League South Division. Meanwhile, the Saints improved their record to 15-12 and currently sit in third place.
Santa Barbara has now scored four runs across its last three games played.
Following a scoreless first frame, the Foresters got on the board in the top of the second on an RBI groundout from Ryan Black that scored Will Rogers, who stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball.
However, it was all Saints from there, as Santa Barbara managed just three hits for the final seven innings of the matchup.
Arroyo Seco got the bulk of its runs in the bottom of the third thanks to a trio of mistakes by the Forester defense. After loading the bases, the Saints scored runs on a bases-loaded walk, a wild pitch and an error to bring their lead to 3-1.
The Saints tacked on a run in the fourth and a run in the fifth inning courtesy of an RBI double and an RBI sacrifice fly, extending the advantage to 5-1.
It was Gilbert Lopez and Jacob Henderson that shut down Santa Barbara, combining for 11 strikeouts, letting up just three hits and allowing zero earned runs.
Lopez started the game, allowing one unearned run on three hits while striking out three and Henderson dominated in relief, tossing five perfect innings to go along with eight strikeouts.
The Foresters will look to snap this season-long two-game losing streak when they return home to take on the Ventura Pirates of the Golden Coast Collegiate League at Pershing Park on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
