Despite two runs in the top of the ninth innings, Westmont lost the second game in its GSAC four-game series with Biola by a score of 9-7 on Thursday in La Mirada.
Westmont (9-12, 2-8) scored two runs in the first inning after shortstop Brent Fukushima and Brandon Allen were walked by Biola starter Nate Coronado. A bunt single by second baseman Jordan Bottenfield loaded the bases. Coby Cress’ sacrifice fly to right field scored Fukushima and moved Allen over to third. Colten Christianson then reached on an error, brining in Allen to make it a 2-0 game.
The Eagles (12-8, 6-3) evened the ballgame at two in the bottom of the second on an RBI single up the middle by Vinnie Fayard and a groundball to the shortstop by Johnny Farrington.
Westmont regained the lead in the top of the fifth. With one away, Bottenfield and Cress received back-to-back walks. Christianson then singled to right field to drive in Bottenfield and chase Coronado from the game. A double to left field scored Cress from first, giving Westmont a 4-2 advantage.
The big blow to the Warriors came in the bottom half of the fifth win Biola scored five runs on six hits. Just after Westmont starting pitcher Geoff Rocha was taken from the game, Brian Loard delivered a three-run double to left field, making it a 7-4 game.
Phil Prickett, who had replaced Allen as the left fielder tripled to center to lead off the seventh inning for the Warriors. Prickett scored when Bottenfield reached on an error by the second baseman.
In the bottom of the eighth, Biola made it an 8-5 game on a solo home run to right field by Brent Opdyke. The Eagles would score again when Boone Farrington triple to right center and subsequently scored.
In the top of the ninth, Fukushima was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. One out later, Fukushima reached second on a wild pitch and then took third on a ground out to second by Bottenfield. Fukushima scored on a balk before Cress tripled to right field. Cress then scored on a pass ball.
The Warrior threat was not over. Christianson walked and Torin Shaikh singled-up the middle, moving Christianson to second. That brought up pinch hitter Michael Kwan as the potential go-ahead run. Kwan, however, struck out looking to end the game.
The Warriors and Eagles will conclude their four game series on Saturday when Westmont hosts a doubleheader at Russ Carr Field. First pitch is at 11 o’clock.
