If tomorrow night’s Academy Awards presented an Oscar for best encore performance, Westmont’s Tommy Hocutt would have to be considered a front runner. Two days after delivering a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth, Hocutt stepped to the plate in the bottom of the twelfth and punched a two-run home run over the scoreboard in right center, giving Westmont (12-8) a 5-4 win over British Columbia (6-6).
The Warriors trailed 3-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. With one away, Brandon Gildea singled to center and was replaced on the base pads by Ryan Beveridge as a courtesy runner. One out later, Kevin Hammer pinch hit for Chito Elias and singled into right field, advancing Gildea to third. After Fukushima was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Chris Stroh singled through the left side to drive Beveridge home.
Westmont tied the score in the bottom of the eighth inning. David Gabel walked with one out then advanced to second on a single through the right side by Hocutt. With Beveridge pinch running for Hocutt, Gildea loaded the bases with a single to centerfield.
Will Barring hit a ground ball to shortstop that resulted in Gildea being thrown out at second base but also allowed Gabel to score. Hammer then singled up the middle driving in Beveridge and making it a 3-3 game.
In the top of the twelfth, Sebastian Wong scored an unearned run for the Thunderbirds, giving British Columbia a 4-3 lead.
David Pennington led off the bottom of the twelfth with a single to right field. Turbin laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Pennington to first. After Gabel struck out, Hocutt strode to the plate with two down. He swung at the first pitch, which cleared the fence and ended the game.
Michael Rishwain was awarded the win after pitching the final four innings. Rishwain allow one unearned run on six hits. He struck out two and did not allow a walk.
The Warriors will return to Golden State Athletic Conference play next weekend when they travel to Phoenix to take on Arizona Christian in a three-game series.
