Keith Johnson pitched eight innings giving up six runs, three of which were earned as Westmont baseball lost to Biola (27-18, 18-11 GSAC) at Russ Carr Field on Thursday afternoon by a score of 6-1. Johnson struck out nine Eagles while allowing seven hits and four walks. With the loss, the Warriors fall to 12-29 on the year and 8-22 in Golden State Athletic Conference play.
Biola scored four runs in the second inning on a two-RBI double by right fielder Vinnie Fayard and a two-RBI home run by left fielder Chad Pace. The Eagles added another run in the third inning on a home run by second baseman Hawkins Gebbers.
Westmont’s lone run came in the bottom of the third inning. After catch Mark Magdaleno led off with a double to right-center field, center fielder Taylor Maddox singled, advancing Magdaleno to third. Third baseman Jordan Bottenfield hit a deep fly ball to center field to score Magdaleno on a sacrifice fly.
Biola’s sixth run was scored in the top of the fourth inning. Johnson gave up three singles in a row to load the bases. The Warriors picked up the first out of the inning when Pace grounded to third and Bottenfield threw out Brent Opdyke at home. But center fielder Chris Forman picked up an RBI when the Warriors could not turn a ground ball to second into a double play.
With two outs and men on first and third, Forman attempted to steal second but was caught in a run down when Johnson alertly threw to second base. Warrior second baseman Mark Boujikian caught site of Biola pinch runner Phil Blazek darting for home and abandoned the run down between first and second in favor of going after Blazek. Magdaleno took the throw to the plate from Boujikian as Blazek turned around and headed back to third. Magdaleno tossed the ball to Bottenfield at third and Blazek broke for home again. But Bottenfield fired the ball to first baseman Sam Wiley who was now covering home and Wiley applied the tag to bring the inning to a close.
Next up for the Warriors is a Saturday doubleheader in El Cajon against San Diego Christian. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
