Senior Jamie Barth allowed just three hits in six innings of work as Westmont Baseball defeated Principia of Illinois (2-4) by a score of 6-3 on Monday afternoon at Russ Carr Field to win their third game in a row. The three-game winning streak is the longest for the Warriors since they won five in a row at the beginning of the 2001 season. Barth, who did not allow a hit until there were two outs in the fifth inning, struck out six batters and walked four.
"After the first two innings I felt my groove and I felt good out there," said Barth. "The fast ball felt descent and the arm felt a little livelier."
All nine starters having at least one hit in the game as the Warriors compiled 12 hits.
"We are starting to hit the ball," said head coach Scott Deck. "We have been spending a lot of time with video tape, batting practice and different types of drills. We have made a lot of adjustments with these guys and they are starting to take them from practice and put them into the game. Transferring that (technique) over (to the game) is the hardest part for the hitter. It's enjoyable for me to see their hard work payoff."
The Warriors (4-17) scored a single run in the second inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Sophomore David Stout, who was 2 for 4 on the day, bunted for a single to lead off the inning and then reached second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Andy Dude. After advancing to third on a pass ball, Stout came home on a sacrifice fly to center by sophomore center fielder Derek Fugitt. Fugitt was 1 for 2 in the game and had two sacrifices.
The Warriors added three more runs in the second inning by connecting for four consecutive singles. Junior right fielder John Evans hit one up the middle to begin the two-out rally. Junior left fielder Jon White followed suit with a single to right center allowing Evans to take third. Stout then singled up the middle to scored Evans and advanced White to third. That brought up senior Andy Dude who was 2 for 3 on the day. After Stout stole second, Dude slammed a two-RBI single into left field, scoring White and Stout.
"It went to a full count and the pitcher hung a curve ball," said Dude. "I made sure to wait back because (the pitcher) was a little slower. I got good barrel on it. If felt good."
Principia took advantage of two walks at the start of the sixth inning to score a run without getting a hit. The Panthers then added more runs in the top of the seventh by virtue of a two-run home run by catcher Josh Reesman over the left field fence. That allowed Principia to pull to within one run (4-3). Deck then turned the pitching duties over to sophomore Kellen Skersies who retired the next six batters in a row.
Meanwhile, Westmont picked up insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Junior designated hitter Erik Gaustad was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh inning. After junior second baseman Philip Valle was retired on a deep fly ball to center field, freshman catcher Luke Montzingo (2 for 4) reached first base on a single through the left side, moving Gaustad to second. Evans then walked to load the bases.
White attempted a squeeze bunt, but the ball popped into the air. The Panther's pitcher, CJ Wilsnack, attempted a diving catch just inside the first base line, but the ball bounced off his glove in fair territory. Gaustad scored from third, but Principia's catcher, Nash Witney, picked up the ball and fired to third to retire Montzingo.
Dude led off the first inning with a single to center field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Fugitt. After junior shortstop Anthony Martinez popped out to second, Gaustad singled to center allowing Dude to score.
In the top of the ninth, freshman Timothy Crabbe came in to pitch. After getting the lead-off hitter to ground out to third, Crabbe gave up a bunt single to Andrew Rawlinson. But Crabbe struck out the next two batters to earn the save and give the Warriors the win.
"A three-game winning streak feels good," said Dude after the game. "I think we are starting to swing the bats well and starting to come together. We are thinking that we are 3-0 right now. We cut everything back before the last three games as though it were our fall season – letting everything go and starting anew. We've started off well (since then) and want to keep going."
The Warriors will be on the road for the next five games. First stop will be Fresno Pacific for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 17. Then the Warriors will head for points south, playing a single game first at Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday, March 20 and then a double header at San Diego Christian the following day. Westmont will return to Russ Carr Field for a home doubleheader against Point Loma Nazarene on Saturday, March 24.
