Westmont opened the Golden State Athletic Conference baseball season by splitting a doubleheader with No. 15 Fresno Pacific on Thursday afternoon at Russ Carr Field.
The Warriors’ Dan Cabuling pitched a complete game shutout as Westmont took the first game of the twin bill by a score of 3-0. Fresno Pacific (6-5) won the second game by a score of 6-5.
Cabuling allowed just five hits in his second win of the year. The left-hander struck out two and allowed just one walk.
“I’ve never had a nine-inning complete game before,” said Cabuling. “It felt pretty good. I focused on every single pitch one pitch at a time. I focused on things I can control. I have no control over the offense. I’ll take anything they can give me. As long as I keep my team in a position to win, that is the best I can do.”
“Dan carried us on his back today,” said Westmont head coach Robert Ruiz. “He stayed composed in tight situations and stuck to his plan. He showed today that he can compete and we can get a lengthy outing from him. He gave us a shot to win that first game against one of the best pitchers in the conference.”
Fresno Pacific starter Jesse Darrah was charged with the loss. Darrah pitched seven and one-third inning giving up three runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked four.
Senior second baseman Jordan Bottenfield provided the winning run for the Warriors when he stroked a home run over the left field fence to lead off the second inning.
Westmont picked up two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one away, freshman shortstop Brent Fukushima swung at a third strike. However, the ball got away from Sunbird catcher Michael Vaughan, and Fukushima was able to reach first base safely. Center fielder JJ Turbin followed Fukushima with a bunt single, giving the Warriors runners at first and second with one away.
Sunbird coach Oscar Hirschkorn decided to bring in Michael Jimenez to pitch to Tim Leary and Jimenez struck out the power hitter to record the inning’s second out. Right fielder Coby Cress followed with a single down the right field line the brought Fukushima home and moved Turbin to third.
After a walk to Bottenfield to load the bases, Jimenez was replaced on the mound by Steven Lozier. Lozier walked Colten Christianson, accounting for the Warriors’ final run.
In the top of the ninth of the second game, the Sunbirds picked up the winning run when reliever Pete McCarthy hit a batter with the bases loaded.
Westmont nearly evened the score in the bottom of the ninth. With one away Fukushima singled up the middle. After Turbin struck out, Leary was hit by a pitch, advancing Fukushima to second. Cress delivered a single through the right side and Fukushima was waived home forcing a play at the plate. Sunbird leftfielder Blaine Taylor scooped up the ball and delivered a strike to Vaughn, the catcher. Vaughn applied the tag as Fukushima attempted to score, giving the Sunbirds the win.
