Three runs were all the Warriors would need behind the pitching of starter Casey Schapper, reliever Hunter Christenson and closer Devin Matson as Westmont Baseball (14-10, 7-9 GSAC) posted a 3-1 Golden State Athletic Conference win over Arizona Christian (10-14, 4-12). With the win, Westmont has won seven of its last nine games including three of its last four conference games.
Schapper started on the hill for the Warriors and allowed nine hits in six innings of work. The only run he allowed, however, was on a lead-off home run in the top of the fourth inning by Firestorm first baseman Ryan Jones.
Christenson gave up three hits in the seventh inning and had the bases loaded with one-away before coaxing Arizona Christian third baseman Jake Wakamatsu into an inning-ending double play that quenched Firestorm’s threat.
Matson earned his second save of the year by retiring all six batters he faced in the eighth and ninth inning.
Offensively, Westmont left fielder Steven Pollex helped the Warriors to an early lead by drilling a triple to left center field to lead off the bottom of the first. Pollex’ ball one-hopped the fence in the deepest part of the park and bounced off the top rail back into play. By the time the Firestorm had a chance to retrieve the ball, Pollex was on third, standing up.
One out later, catcher Brandon Gildea sent a towering fly to deep left field for a sacrifice fly that scored Pollex.
In the second inning, designated hitter Alex Bush, who is hitting .489 for the Warriors (23 hits in 47 at bats), led off with a sharply hit single to right field. Will Barring then singled through the right side, advancing Bush to second. Next, Brent Fukushima reached on a fielder’s choice that retired Bush for the first out and moved Barring to second.
After Turner Conrad was walked to load the bases, Chris Stroh singled to right field, driving in Barring and moving Fukushima and Conrad to third and second respectively. Fukushima scored when Pollex hit a slow ground ball toward second base.
