IRVINE – After scoring a single run in the fourth inning, Westmont Baseball (21-18, 12-16 GSAC) added six more in the fifth on its way to a 7-3 Golden State Athletic Conference win over #12 Concordia (26-13, 15-10).
Westmont freshman Russell Harmening (5-4) picked up the win. He pitched six and one-third innings for the Warriors allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five. Hunter Christianson and Brain Murphy pitched the final two and two-third innings, retiring the rest of the Concordia batters in order. Murphy struck out all six batters that he faced.
Westmont’s lone run in the fourth inning came after catcher Brandon Gildea bunted for a single with one away and then stole second. One out later, Kevin Hammer singled up the middle to drive in Gildea.
The big-run fifth inning got started when designated hitter Chris Stroh doubled down the right field line with one away. After Stroh stole third, second baseman David Pennington singled to right field allowing Stroh to score. When third baseman David Gabel singled up the middle, Pennington advanced to second. Both runners then moved up 90 feet on a pass ball, giving the Warriors runners at second and third with one out.
Centerfielder Will Barring drove in both runners with a double down the left field line. He then advanced to third on a ground out be Gildea. Tommy Hocutt delivered a ball to the outfield that was misplayed by the left fielder resulting in Barring reaching home and Hocutt standing at second base.
After Hocutt stole third, Hammer walked and Eagles’ starting pitcher Cole Swanson was replaced by Andrew Brooks. Hammer stole second on the new hurler and shortstop Brent Fukushima greeted Brooks with a single up the middle that drove in both Hocutt and Hammer. Fukushima was thrown out at second on the play, bringing the inning to a close with a 7-0 Warrior lead.
The Eagles would score two in the sixth and another in the seventh before their offense was shut down by Christianson and Murphy.
The Warriors and Eagles will square off again tomorrow, meeting for a doubleheader in Eagles Field beginning at noon.
