Westmont scored eight runs in the final three innings, but it wasn’t enough to complete a comeback as the Warriors lost 14-11 at Cal State San Marcos on Thursday afternoon in a non-conference game.
Tim Leary (2-6) took the loss for the Warriors after giving up five runs on five hits in the first inning of play. Westmont (15-27) gave up two more in the second, one in the third and another five in the fifth inning to fall behind 13-3.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Westmont picked up one run in the seventh. Mitch Petrak tripled to right field to lead off the inning and then scored on a double by Brandon Gildea. However, Johnny Omahen added one to the Cougars’ tally when he doubled to left center and later scored on a wild pitch to make it a 14-4 game.
The eighth inning proved to be the best for the Warrior offense. With one away, Torin Shaikh started things off with a single to left field. Shaikh advanced to third when Steven Motush doubled, giving the Warriors runners on second and third with one away. Phil Prickett delivered a pinch-hit, two-RBI single through the left side.
Brandon Allen continued the hitting spree with single up the middle, moving Prickett to second. That brought up Gildea who reached on an error by the third baseman. Pricket scored on the play and Allen moved to third.
Jordan Bottenfield sent a ground ball to short that resulted in another error. The play allowed Allen to score and moved Gildea to third. Gildea then scored on a single through the left side by J.J. Turbin.
Westmont added two unearned runs in the ninth inning after Prickett reached with two away on an error by the second baseman. Allen then singled and Gildea walked to load the bases with Warriors. Prickett scored and Allen and Gildea advanced one base on a wild pitch. A single by Bottenfield drove in Allen to account for the final run of the game.
Omahen (5-1), who was the starting pitcher for the Cougars (26-16), was awarded the win after pitching five innings. He allowed three runs on four hits, struck out three and walked three.
The Warriors continue their southern road trip tomorrow with two games against San Diego Christian at Stars Baseball Diamond in Lakeside. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
