Despite leading for most of the game, Westmont Baseball (19-22-1, 10-16 GSAC) suffered a 10-9 Golden State Athletic Conference loss at #4 Azusa Pacific (36-8, 23-3) Friday evening. With the loss, Westmont falls into a tie for sixth place in the GSAC standings and for the final spot in the upcoming GSAC Tournament.
The Cougars struck first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. With two away, Jordan Leyland received a walk. Leyland scored on a double to center by Johnathon Erb. Erb scored on a single through the right side by Matt Kimmel. Kimmel, however, was thrown out at second on the play to end the inning.
The Warriors scored seven runs on eight hits in the top of the third inning to take a 7-2 lead. Second baseman David Pennington led off with an infield single, then scored when center fielder J.J. Turbin tripled to center field. A double down the right field line by designated hitter Tim Leary brought Turbin home for the second run of the inning.
Left fielder Mitch Petrak singled on a ground ball through the left side, but Leary was unable to advance on the play. Third baseman David Gabel hit a ground ball to third on which Leary was retired, leaving the Warriors with men on first and second with one away.
A single to left field by right fielder Will Barring loaded the bases with Warriors before first baseman first baseman Hunter Christianson delivered another single to left, driving in Petrak to make it a 3-2 game. One out later, catcher Jarratt Rouse tripled down the right field line driving in Gabel, Barring, and Christianson. The Warriors added one more run in the third when Pennington singled through the right side to bring home Rouse.
Azusa Pacific took two back in the bottom of the third. With one away, Sammy Soyring singled up the middle then advanced to second when Brent Warren was walked. A single by Leyland loaded the bases. Soyring scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Erb. A single through the left side by Kimmel drove in Warren to account for the other run in the inning.
Azusa threatened again in the bottom of the fourth, prompting Westmont head coach Robert Ruiz to bring Mitch Crocker from the bull pen with men on first and second and one away. Anthony Rodriguez was thrown out at third on a double steal attempt before Crocker struck out Soyring to end the inning with no damage done.
Westmont starter Torin Shaikh left the game having given up four runs on six hits in three and one-third innings of work. Shiakh walked three and struck out three.
The Cougars narrowed the Warrior lead to 7-6 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lead off back-to-back singles by Warren and Leyland started the threat. One out later, an infield single by Kimmel resulted in a throwing error by Fukushima which allowed Warren to score and Leyland to take third. Leyland then scored on a sacrifice fly by J.C. Aguayo.
Tim Leary added to the Warriors total with a two-run home run to right field in the top of the sixth inning. Leary’s home run drove in Turbin who had reached first when hit by a pitch.
Four runs in the bottom of the seventh, proved to be the difference in the game. As in the fifth inning, Warren and Leyland led off with back-to-back singles. Erb then produced a third to load the bases with no outs. A double to left center by Kimmel drove in Warren and Leyland. After Aguayo struck out swinging, Brendan Casey ground out to short, allowing Tyler Putjenter, who pinch ran for Erb, to score from third.
Westmont’s Taylor Martin replaced Crocker on the mound. Matt Winkler pinch hit for the Cougars and reached on an error that allowed Kimmel to score the fourth run of the inning and give Azusa Pacific the lead.
Crocker (3-2), who was assigned the loss, gave up six runs, four earned, on seven hits in three and one-third innings. Crocker struck out three and did not issue a walk.
Azusa Pacific reliever Colby Gurney (8-2) was awarded the win. Gurney pitched a scoreless two and two-third innings, allowing just one hit. He struck out three without allowing a walk. Alan Garcia pitched the ninth and picked up his twelfth save of the season.
The same two teams will meet again at noon tomorrow at Westmont’s Russ Carr Field to finish their four-game series with a doubleheader.
