Five hits were all Westmont Baseball (15-5) needed to post a 5-2 win over Coban of Oregon (8-7) on Thursday afternoon at Russ Carr Field. It helped that all five hits went for extra bases – three doubles and two triples.
Corban took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two-RBI single to left center by Vince Gonzalez.
The Warriors responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. With one away, Alex Bush doubled to left center and then reached third on a wild pitch. After Will Barring was walked, Graylin Derke struck out for the second out of the inning. Derek Rodrigo then tripled down the right field line to drive in both Bush and Barring.
Westmont’s other three runs came in the bottom of the sixth. Bush led off the inning and was hit by a pitch. Barring then hit a bloop-double into right field to give the Warriors two men in scoring position with no outs.
Turner Conrad was called upon to pinch hit and laid down a bunt. Pitcher Daniel Aranda fielded the ball and threw home as Bush was barreling toward the plate. However, Corban catcher Jackson Smith was unable to hold on to the ball allowing Bush to score. Barring took third on the play while Conrad was safe at first on the fielder’s choice
A wild pitch allowed Barring to score from third and moved Conrad to second base. Two outs later, Conrad was awarded third base when the umpire called Aranda for a balk. Rudy Leon the tripled down the right field line to drive in Conrad.
Six different pitchers took the mound for the Warriors. With three Golden State Athletic Conference games coming up tomorrow and Saturday, head coach Robert Ruiz looked to keep his bull pen available and limited the length of today’s outings.
Bush started for the Warriors pitching three scoreless innings and giving up just two hits. He struck out one and did not allow a walk. Freshman David Gaydos pitched the fourth inning giving up two runs on three hits.
Freshman Lance Simpson was credited with the win – the first of his collegiate career – after pitching a scoreless fifth and sixth inning. Simpson gave up one hit but allowed no other base runner.
Freshman Adrian Farago and junior Michael Rishwain each pitched one inning in relief allowing one hit apiece. Junior Hector Lujan was awarded the save after retiring the side in order in the ninth.
Tomorrow, the Warriors head to Santa Clarita for a three-game series with The Master’s. On Friday, the Warriors and Mustangs will play a single game at two o’clock. Then on Saturday morning, the teams will meet up at eleven o’clock for a doubleheader.
