Despite three hits from both shortstop Zeke Torres and third baseman Jordan Bottenfield, Westmont baseball (9-23, 6-16 GSAC) suffered an 11-2 loss at the hands of the Sunbirds of #24 Fresno Pacific (20-9, 14-8 GSAC) on Thursday afternoon in Fresno.
Both of Westmont’s runs came in the bottom of the second inning. Taylor Maddox extended his hitting streak to six games with a one-out single and took second base when Taylor Grace grounded out to third. Torres, whose has safely hit in the last seven games, singled to left-center, driving in Maddox. Brent Meschuk moved Torres over to third base when he also singled to left-center. Bottenfield then drove in Torres with his second single of the day.
As a result, the Warriors held a 2-1 lead after an inning and one-half of play. But the Sunbirds tied the game in the bottom of the second and then added four more runs in the sixth and three in the seventh.
Starter Keith Johnson took the loss for the Warriors after pitching five innings. Johnson gave up five runs on seven hits, struck out three and walked five. Daniel Brodie earned the win for Fresno Pacific, giving up two runs on nine hits in seven innings of work.
Westmont’s nine hits were just on less the Fresno Pacific, but Warrior pitchers surrendered 10 walks compared to only two by the home team.
The Warriors return to action on Saturday when they host California Baptist in a Golden State Athletic Conference Doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
