Brian Rauch allowed just three hits in a complete game 8-1 victory as non-conference opponent Chapman (20-4) defeated Westmont (10-20) on Thursday afternoon at Russ Carr Field. The Warriors produced only one hit through eight innings but put together two hits and a sacrifice fly to score a single run in the bottom of the ninth to avoid a shutout.
Rauch (6-0) faced 32 batters and threw just 106 pitches in the victory. The freshman from Lake Forest struck out six and walked one.
Westmont starter Chris Plance (1-1) was assigned the loss. Plance gave up five runs on 10 hits in four and two-third innings of work. He struck out three and walked one. Ian Lawler pitched two and two-third innings in relief without giving up a run. Lawler surrendered one hit and one walk. Zach Embrey made his second appearance of the year for the Warriors by pitching in the ninth inning. Embrey allowed one run on one hit. He struck out one and walked one.
Center fielder Terrell Wong opened up the bottom of the ninth with a single up the middle and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Shortstop Jordan Bottenfield then doubled to right center but Wong only advanced as far as third base on the play. Designated Tim Leary drove in his thirty-third RBI of the year with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.
In the field, the Warriors produced a season high five double plays with second baseman Zeke Torres serving as the pivot man for all five twin-killings.
Westmont will return to Golden State Athletic Conference play tomorrow as they host the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific in a doubleheader beginning at eleven o’clock. The twin-bill is a rain make-up from February 27.
