After splitting two games at Westmont’s Russ Carr Field earlier in the week, Westmont and Biola’s baseball teams split a doubleheader in La Mirada on Saturday. The Eagles took the first game 11-4 but the Warriors rallied to claim the second game of the twin-bill 3-2.
“It feels great to split the series with Biola,” said Westmont Head Coach Robert Ruiz. “It was a full team effort. Both times, we fought back after a tough loss. It says something about the team’s character and willingness to compete in tough situations.”
Biola jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first game with three runs in the second inning and two in the fourth. Westmont reclaimed two runs in the top of the fifth after catcher Mark Magdaleno and Evan Soliman hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Phil Pricket took over as a courtesy runner for Soliman. Both Magdaleno and Pricket would later score on wild pitches.
But the Eagles scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to go up 7-2 over the Warriors. Westmont’s final two runs came in the top of the seventh. With two outs, shortstop Jordan Bottenfield singled to short. Bottenfield was four of five at the plate in the first game for the Warriors. With Bottenfield at first, designated hitter Tim Leary singled to center and Bottenfield took second. First baseman Trevor Christianson drove in Bottenfield with a single to left which brought up right fielder Coby Cress. Cress delivered the fourth single in a row, driving in Leary.
However, Biola added another run in the bottom of the seventh and three in the eighth to complete their 11-4 victory. Biola’s Dale Harder was credited with the win after pitching seven innings. He allowed four runs on nine hits, struck out eight and walked two.
Geoff Rocha took the loss for the Warriors. He pitched four-plus innings, giving up five runs on six hits. Rocha struck out three and walked one.
Biola took an early lead in the second game, which was scheduled for seven innings. The Eagles scored two runs in the bottom of the first. A lead off double by third baseman Boone Farrington was followed by a single to right by second baseman Garrett Leon, which advanced Farrington to third. Center fielder Vinnie Fayard then singled to left, driving in Farrington and advancing Leon to second.
First baseman Mac Sullivan then singled to right field to load the bases with Eagles. Leon scored on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Trevor Blood, but the Warriors avoided any further damage when designated hitter Brent Opdyke hit into a 6-4-3 inning ending double play.
The Warriors responded immediately by scoring three runs in the top of the second. Cress started off the inning with a single to right and moved to second when Magdaleno was walked. Prickett once again served as a courtesy runner for Magdaleno before third baseman Zeke Torres hit an infield single to load the bases.
Second baseman Evan Wadginski stepped to the plate and drove a single to left to score Cress and move everyone up one base. That was enough for Biola Coach John Verhoeven to make a pitching change. Alex Brueske, the Eagle’s starter in the first game of the series, replaced starter Bobby O’Neill on the mound.
Ruiz countered by pinching hitting Rocha for left fielder Charles Whitman. Rocha’s ground ball to second resulted in the first out of the inning when Wadginski was retired at second. It also resulted in an RBI for Rocha as Prickett crossed the plate and tied the score at two. After center fielder Terrell Wong flied out to short, Bottenfield singled to left to drive in Torres.
With a 3-2 lead, Westmont starter Tim Leary returned to the mound in the bottom of the second.
“Tim came out in the first inning and gave up four hits but only two runs,” noted Ruiz. “He didn’t give up a hit the rest of his outing. It says a lot about his competitive nature and his ability to focus.”
The Eagles threatened in the fifth after Leary hit two batters in a row with a pitch, giving Biola runs on first and second with one away. Ruiz decided to bring in Pete McCarthy who normally comes in as a closer in the final inning.
“We extended Pete McCarthy who went two and two-thirds,” said Ruiz. “He pitched us out of a tough jam and he brought a lot of fire to the field. He stayed competitive and threw strikes. Pete kept his composure and let our defense work which is what we needed him to do today.”
The Eagles nearly tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. With two away, Farrington reached on an infield single. That brought up Leon who drove the first pitch he saw into left field for a double. As Farrington approached third, he was waved on home by the Biola base coach.
Charles Whitman retrieved the ball in left and fired it to third baseman Chris Ramirez who had entered the game in the bottom of the seventh. Ramirez relayed the throw to Magdaleno at home. Magdaleno caught the ball and applied the tag to retire the side and preserve the win for the Warriors.
“Everybody handled their responsibility in a crucial situation,” said Ruiz about the play. “Our defense did a great job of keeping us in the ball game throughout the game. Evan Wadginski made two diving plays in key situations.”
Leary was awarded the win, his first as a Warrior, and McCarthy picked up his fourth save of the year. Leary gave up two runs on four hits in four and one-third innings of play. He walked one and struck out one. McCarthy pitched two and two-third innings, allowing four hits and one walk while holding the Eagles scoreless.
O’Neill was charged with the loss after giving up three runs on four hits in one-plus inning of work.
Next week, the Warriors will play two doubleheaders against Vanguard. On Thursday, Westmont will travel to Costa Mesa for two nine inning games, beginning at eleven o’clock. On Saturday, the Warriors will host the Lions in a nine inning game followed by a seven inning game. First pitch on Saturday is at noon.
