A Will Pendergrass game-winning knock in the bottom of the eighth propelled the Santa Barbara Foresters to a 2-1 win over the SLO Blues on Sunday.
The last game of the summer at Pershing Park was a pitcher’s duel led by the Santa Barbara arms, who did not allow an earned run all day.
The Foresters got the scoring started in the bottom of the second after an RBI single by Griffin Everitt scored Gavin Kash and put them up 1-0.
That lead didn’t last long, however, as the Blues answered in the top of the third with a run scoring on an error by Gianni Horvat at third base, tying the game at one apiece.
Kyle Robinson started the game on the hill for the Foresters, allowing one unearned run on five hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings of work.
After Robinson, the combination of Alec Grossman, Jake Faherty, Casey Dykstra and Chase Webster shut the door on San Luis Obispo with four scoreless innings. Each reliever contributed an inning of work.
With the game still tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Nate Rombach reached base to set the table for Pendergrass, who then slapped a ball down the right-field line that got away from the Blues’ right fielder to score Rombach and capture the 2-1 lead.
With the win, Santa Barbara will take a 25-12 record to Wichita, where they will play in the NBC World Series starting on Friday. The Foresters are the two-time defending NBC World Series champions.