Sophomore right-hander Russell Harmening pitched eight scoreless innings in the first game of a doubleheader as Westmont (3-5, 1-5 GSAC) claimed its first Golden State Athletic Conference victory of the season, defeating the Eagles of Biola (3-5, 2-4) by a score of 3-0. Biola won the second game 7-6.
Harmening allowed just five hits while striking out four and walking four.
The Warriors scored in the top of the first inning after lead-off hitter Andrew Devian singled up the middle. One out later, senior designated hitter Brandon Gildea singled to right, allowing Devian, a freshman first baseman, to reach third. Sophomore left fielder Steven Pollex then singled up the middle to drive Devian home.
In the sixth inning, junior first baseman David Gabel led off with a double and was joined on the baseball pads courtesy of a free pass to senior right fielder Chris Stroh. Both runners advanced a base via a bunt single by junior center fielder William Barring. Sophomore third baseman Graylin Derke drove in Gabel with a sacrifice fly to center field. Stroh scored when pinch hitter Alex Bush, a sophomore, doubled to left center.
Hunter Christianson picked up his first save of the year by pitching a scoreless ninth. After hitting the lead-off man with a pitch, Christianson coaxed Johnny Farrington into a ground ball double play and then persuaded Rob Groeschell to ground out to short.
Biola got on the scoreboard first in the second game scoring two runs in the third inning. However, the Warriors responded with a five-run fifth to take a 5-2 lead in the seven inning contest.
With one away in the top of the fifth, Barring walked and then stole second. Derke was also walked and was replaced on the base pads by pinch runner Ryan Beveridge. Beveridge and Barring both moved up one base on a wild pitch before pinch hitter Casey Schapper singled to left center, driving in both Barring and Beveridge.
Michael Frigon pinch ran at first base and stole second before Devian walked. Fukushima then pinch ran for Devian but was thrown out on a double steal that saw Frigon reach third. After senior shortstop Joey Gonzales walked, Gildea doubled to left field driving in both runners. Pollex then hit an infield single that allowed Gildea to score.
The Warriors picked up another run in the top of the seventh. Fukushima walked to lead off the inning and then took third on a double down the right field line by Gonzales. Fukushima scored on a sacrifice fly by Gildea to give the Warriors a 6-2 lead.
However, the wheels came off the bus in the bottom of the final inning. Without securing an out, Biola scored five runs on four hits and two errors to claim the win. Christenson, who gave up the final two runs, was charged with the blown save and the loss.
Alex Bush started the game for the Warriors allowing two runs on seven hits in four innings of work. Tyler Karp pitched the fifth, sixth and part of the seventh inning, giving up three runs on four hits.
The Warriors return home for a three-game series with Vanguard (7-0, 3-0) next weekend at Russ Carr Field. A single game will be played on Friday afternoon at two o’clock with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
