The Warriors produced 13 hits but left nine men on base in a 6-4 loss to Vanguard (7-6, 7-6) on Thursday afternoon at Russ Carr Field. Starter Kellen Skersies pitched eight and one-third innings giving up six runs, three of which were earned. He struck out one and allowed one walk.

The Lions scored one run in each of the first two innings, but Westmont got one back in the bottom of the second to produce a 2-1 score after two. Freshman designated hitter Jason Younker singled to center to lead off the second. Two outs later, junior right fielder John Evans singled to left and Younker advanced to second. That brought up senior third baseman Andy Dude to face Vanguard starting pitcher Nick Vaughn.

While pitching to Dude, Vaughn was twice called for balks, allowing Younker to score and Evans to advance to third. But Evans would be left stranded 90 feet away when Dude popped up to second to end the inning.

After a scoreless third inning, Vanguard picked up two runs in the top of the fourth to post a 4-1 advantage which held up until the bottom of the seventh. Junior left fielder Jon White led off the inning with a bunt single down the third base line. Evans followed with a single through the left side giving the Warriors men on first and second with nobody out. After Dude struck out, center fielder Derek Fugitt singled to center field to load the bases. Junior shortstop Anthony Martinez then stepped to the plate and hit a shot between the third baseman and shortstop to score both White and Evans.

After junior first baseman Erik Gaustad flew out to center field, the Warriors loaded the bases once more when Junior Phillip Valle produced a single to first which took a sharp hop to the fielder's right. However, the Warriors' threat was ended when Younker flew out to center.

Up 4-3 in going into the ninth inning, Vanguard picked up two unearned insurance runs in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, Westmont's first two batters were retired before Martinez reached on an error to breathe some hope into the Warrior dugout. Gaustad kept that hope alive by connecting for a double down the right field line which allowed Martinez to score. Valle then walked to put the tying run on the base pads and bring up Younker who was batting clean up. But relief pitcher Dustin Jones picked up a save by coaxing Younker into taking strike three to end the game.

Westmont (1-17, 0-14) will continue their season on Saturday when they host The Master's (9-12, 5-8) at Russ Carr Field beginning at 11:00 a.m.