For the first time since February 5, 2000, the Warriors have defeated the Eagles of Biola on their home field. Senior catcher Dominick Paluso's solo home run in the eighth inning, his thirteenth round-trip of the year, proved to be the difference in the 7-6 victory.
Sophomore Jonathan White picked up his fourth win of the year, pitching six innings while allowing five runs on ten hits. Senior Kevin Fouret earned a save by pitching the final three frames and allowing one run on three hits.
Sixth-ranked Biola (25-10, 18-8) scored first with two runs in the bottom of the second inning, but the Warriors reclaimed one run on a sacrifice fly to deep center field by junior designated hitter Hector Chavez. The sacrifice scored freshman left fielder Nate Shaver who led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a hit-and-run single to right field by sophomore first baseman EriK Gaustad.
The Eagles added two more in the bottom of the fourth to post a 4-1 advantage, but Westmont (7-31, 3-21) erupted for four runs in the fifth inning to go up 5-4. Shaver again led off the inning with a single and was advanced to second when senior second baseman Steven Hardesty was hit by a pitch. The Warrior threat seemed to be abated when Gaustad and Paluso struck out. But Chavez earned a free pass to load the bases and bring up senior third baseman Jordan Ballard.
Ballard sent a missile to third base which flew off the fielder's glove and rolled into left field which allowed Shaver to score for the second time in the game. Ruled an error, Shaver's and all subsequent runs in the inning were deemed to be unearned – and subsequent runs there were.
Back-to-back singles by sophomore shortstop Philip Valle and senior right fielder Darren Fouret scored three runs for the Warriors. Hardesty scored off Valle's hit and Ballard and Chavez crossed the plate due to Fouret's efforts.
The Eagles tied the game with a single run in the bottom of the fifth inning – though they threatened to score more. With one run in, one out and runners on the corners, White coaxed the Eagle batter into an inning ending double play.
The sixth inning remained scoreless for both teams. The Warriors broke the five-five deadlock in the top of the seventh inning. After Ballard led off the inning with a single, Valle laid down a bunt single to give the Warriors two men on with nobody out. Fouret then tried to execute a sacrifice bunt but the Eagles were able to put out Ballard at third while Fouret reached first on a fielder's choice. Junior Joshua Daneshforooz came to the plate as a pinch hitter and Valle stole third base during his at bat. That gave Daneshforooz an opportunity he took advantage of with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Valle.
After a scoreless bottom of the seventh, Paluso stepped to the plate with two outs and hit the blast which eventually gave the Warriors the win. The Eagles scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but Fouret closed the door on any more Eagle heroics to give Westmont the win.
The Warriors will have an nine-day break in which to savor their victory before taking the field in Riverside against #3 California Baptist (35-6, 20-4) on Saturday, April 22. Westmont has only one more home date which is a doubleheader against The Master's on the following Saturday.
