PHOENIX — After dropping the opening game of a Golden State Athletic Conference header 6-4 to the Firestorm of Arizona Christian (2-1, 2-1 GSAC), Westmont Baseball (4-2, 1-2) exploded for 11 runs and claimed the nightcap by a score of 11-3.
In the first game, Arizona Christian took the lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by Anthony Balderama that drove in Jake Wakamatsu from second base. The Warriors responded in the top of the first when Andrew Devian drove a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Michael Pollex to score. Pollex had reached on a single to lead off the inning.
However, things began to unravel for the Warriors as Arizona Christian scored three runs in the second and two in the third. Westmont starting pitcher Sam Sheehan did not last through the third inning, having given up six runs on five hits. Sheehan, who struck out one but walked six, was charged with the loss and fell to 1-1.
The Warriors rallied in the fourth inning with two runs. With men on first and second and one away, Devian singled to load the bases. That chased Firestorm starting pitcher Joel Klinkhammer from the game in favor of reliever Dylan Waugh. Waugh, who allowed just one hit and no runs in one and two-thirds innings of work, would be awarded his first win of the season.
With the bases loaded and one away, Turner Conrad delivered a pinch-hit single that drove in Pollex and kept the bases full of Warriors. Catcher Ryan Crowe, playing his first game in a Warrior uniform, earned a walk to tally an RBI and bring in Graylin Derke. However, the Warriors were unable to keep the rally going.
Westmont added another run in the seventh to complete the scoring when Blake Matthias’ single drove in courtesy runner Ryan Beveridge from second base.
Daniel Butler, who took over for Sheehan in the third, pitched five and one-third innings without allowing a run. He gave up five hits, struck out four and allowed three walks.
In the second game, Westmont tallied three runs in the second inning to take a lead they did not relinquish. With one away, David Gabel singled before Turner Conrad reached on a fielder’s choice that did not retire Gabel. Zach DeMarcus then produced a double to score Gabel and send Conrad to third. Robert Mendez followed DeMarcus with a double of his own, driving in both men on base.
Arizona Christian took one back in the bottom of the third when Balderama scored from third off a ground out by Matthew Mara.
The score remained 3-1 until the top of the fifth when the Warriors added three runs. With Michael Frigon on second, Rudy Leon laid down a bunt that was mishandled by the pitcher allowing Leon to reach second and Frigon to score. One out later, Matthias homered to account for the inning’s additional two runs.
In the top of the sixth, the Warriors added five more runs to claim an 11-1 advantage. With one out and the bases loaded, Leon hit a ground ball fielded by the pitcher that allowed Beveridge to score from third before retiring Leon. Will Barring then doubled, driving in Frigon and DeMarcus.
After a walk to Matthias, Derek Rodigo singled to drive in Barring and advance Matthias to third. Then a single by Gabel drove home Matthias.
The Firestorm would score two runs in the bottom half of the sixth, but that was as close as Arizona Christian would get.
Westmont left-handed starter Andrew Vasquez (1-0) was awarded the win in the seven-inning game after pitching four innings without allowing a hit. Vasquez, who gave up one run, walked six and struck out two. Arizona Christian starter Colton Wheeler (0-1) was charged with the loss. Wheeler gave up three runs on four hits.
Westmont will return to action next Friday and Saturday as they host San Diego Christian in a three-game series at Russ Carr Field.
