After a rough top of the first in which the Warriors surrendered five runs, Westmont rallied to post an 11-8 Golden State Athletic Conference baseball win over the Hawks of San Diego Christian (5-17, 3-12 GSAC). The Warriors picked up their 14th win of the season against 15 losses and in so doing exceeded their 2010 season win total in which they went 13-34.
“It is significant in that it is a sign of progress,” said head coach Robert Ruiz of surpassing last years win total, “but by no means are we satisfied. Getting better each year is important, but we try to stay focused on getting better each game. Today we showed something we didn’t earlier in the year, which was responding to early set-backs. That is a more important sign of progress to me.”
The Warriors were scheduled to play a doubleheader, but the second game was called due to rain.
“At about 6:45 this morning our lead grounds keeper Travis McClain and I walked the field,” said Ruiz. “We weren’t very optimistic about getting to play. We have had about eight or nine inches of rain in the last four days. The fact that we got two out of three (scheduled home) games in this week is a testament to what Travis and Phil (Baker) are able to do in taking care of our field.”
The five-run first inning for the Hawks was the result of three hits, two walks, a fielder’s choice, a batter hit by a pitch, a balk, a passed ball and an error by shortstop Brent Fukushima.
The freshman shortstop, however, made up for his error by going three for four at the plate with three RBIs and a runs scored.
“As a young guy it is easy to get frustrated with yourself and carry it with you through the rest of the game,” said Ruiz. “Brent did a good job of getting rid of it. He kept chipping away offensively and did a good job for us at the plate.”
Fukushima led off both the first and third innings with a double. The first-inning two-bagger did not produce a run, but the third-inning hit ultimately gave Westmont its first run of the game. J.J. Trubin moved Fukushima over to second with a sacrifice bunt before a ground ball to second by Jordan Bottenfield allowed Fukushima to score.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Warriors added three more runs to their total to move within one run of the Hawks. Mitch Petrak doubled down the right field line with one away and was joined on the baseball pads by Brandon Allen courtesy of a four-pitch walk.
After Phil Prickett was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Ruiz sent Trevor Christianson to the plate to pinch hit for catcher Jarratt Rouse. Christianson’s ground ball to the shortstop resulted in Petrak scoring and everyone else moving up one base to keep the bases full of Warriors. Fukushima then singled to left to drive in Prickett and Allen, making it a 5-4 game.
The Hawks added two runs to their total in the top of the fifth inning and chased Westmont started Dan Cabuling from the game. Cabuling was charged with seven runs, five of which were earned, on eight hits. He struck out two and walked three in four and one-third inning of play.
“Dan tried to come outside of himself a little bit, trying to do too much in the first inning,” said Ruiz. “But he rallied back to keep us in the ballgame. He never game in and he responded well.”
Cabuling was replaced by Ryan Sullivan who would eventually pick up the win for the Warriors. Sullivan pitched three and two-third innings giving up just one run on one hit – a solo homerun by Mike Bando.
In the bottom of the fifth, Westmont put four runs on the board to take their first lead of the game. Designated hitter Tim Leary led off with a single to center field and then advanced to second when Colten Christianson was walked. One out later, Brandon Allen reached on an error to load the bases. Prickett then singled through the left side to bring both Leary and Christianson home.
“Phil Prickett had a big hit and two RBIs,” noted Ruiz, “and he’s tracking everything down in the outfield. He showed maturity in the outfield today. With the wet surface he was intelligent about the way he went about plays. He kept everything in front of him and stepped up for us defensively.”
With one down and men on first and second, Rouse stepped to the plate and was asked to bunt. Rouse laid down a drag bunt single that led to a throwing error by the third baseman. Allen scored on the miscue and Prickett moved to third while Rouse reached second.
“Jarratts’ drag bunt which was a big momentum swing,” said Ruiz. “Behind the plate, Jarratt caught well and set the tone with our pitchers today.”
Rouse’s single ended Hawks’ started Brook Heerdt’s outing on the mound. Heerdt pitched four and one-third innings, giving up eight runs, seven earned, on 10 hits. He struck out one and walked three. Jeremy Blare took Heerdt’s place and would eventually be charged with the loss.
Fukushima welcomed Blare to the mound with a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Pricket to score. That gave Westmont an 8-7 advantage after five innings of play. Mike Brando’s solo homer to lead off the top of the sixth tied the game at 8 runs each.
In the bottom of the seventh, Westmont would score three more to account for the final score. After a walk by Bottenfield to start off the inning, Leary produced an infield single, moving Bottenfield to second. Christianson then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third.
After Petrak was intentionally walked, a wild pitch allowed Bottenfield to score and all other runners to advance one base. Allen then singled to right center to drive in Leary and move Petrak to third. Petrak would later score on a error on an attempted pickoff play by the Hawk’s catcher.
Sullivan pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth inning before turning the ball over to Westmont closer Pete McCarthy.
“It was another solid outing for Ryan,” said Ruiz. “Even when he walked a few guys, his demeanor was even keeled. He did a great job against a good offensive team. He stayed focused and made one pitch at a time.”
McCarthy closed out the game by retiring three in a row to pick up his first save of the year.
