Westmont Baseball started the 2009 campaign with a road game at California Lutheran on Friday and a doubleheader at home on Saturday at Russ Carr Field. Though Westmont dropped all three games, the Warriors showed signs of improvement.

"Our pitching staff has looked good in these first three games," noted head coach Scott Deck. "They have kept us in every game and did not give up a lot of runs against good teams. If we can get that out of our pitching staff and our hitting comes around, it should make for better results this year."

Friday, the Warriors lost by a score of 6-5 in Thousand Oaks. Junior Mike Zettl was three for five with two RBIs for Westmont and a run scored while senior designated hitter Mark Boujikian was two for four with an RBI and two runs scored.

Junior right-hander Tim Crabbe pitched five innings for the Warriors, giving up four runs on seven hits.

Offensively, the Warriors tallied 10 hits, but stranded 12 men on the base pads.

"Our hitting will come around," said Deck. "Your pitchers are always ahead of your hitters early in the year. We have a couple of more games before the conference schedule begins. We get to figure out some new lineups and see what will be the best fit as we start the following Saturday against Concordia."

On Saturday, Cal State San Marcos took the first game 4-3 and the second by a score of 4-2.

Zettl continued producing at the plate for the Warriors. The second baseman became the first to clear the 35′ chain link fence in left field which has been dubbed the ‘screen monster.' Zettl's two-run blast came with two out in the second inning, giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead.

"Zettle is used to winning and is a competitor," said Deck. "He's thoroughly impressed me these first three games."

Senior right-hander Drew Dowl started the game for the Warriors and pitched a strong six innings. Dowl struck out nine while allowing only one walk. He gave up two unearned runs in the no-decision outing.

"I coached against Dowl in high school so I know what he can do," said Deck. "He should be a valuable pitcher for us this year. He throws a split figure, has some good pitches, mixes it up well and can spot pretty well. He's a very mature guy that knows how to pitch and how to hold runners close."

In the top of the seventh, freshman right-hander Bill Sharp relieved Dowl. After hitting Steve Harris with a pitch, Sharp coaxed Johnny Omahen to foul out. Westmont catcher Sam Wiley gave a tremendous effort on the play turning and lunging after a ball the traveled only about 12 feet in the air.

With one out, the Cougars' Ricardo Moran stepped to the plate and drove a single through the right side allowing David West, pinch running for Harris, to advance to third. Louie Russo followed with a double down the left field line which scored West and allowed Moran to advance to third.

Cougar catcher Dane Ponciano, who already had two hits, was due up so Deck decided to go to his pen, calling Dan Price to come in for Sharp. Ponciano pushed a shot past Jordan Bottenfield at third who was playing on the infield grass in an effort to prevent Moran from scoring from third. Moran dashed for home, but Westmont shortstop Todd Morris chased down the ball behind third base and threw a strike to Wiley who tagged Moran out at the plate. Price then struck out Scott Clement to end the inning with the score 3-2 in favor of the Cougars.

The Warriors tied the game in the bottom of the eighth after Zettl reached second on a Cougar error. Zettl advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring when Morris doubled down the left field line.

The Cougars scored again in the top of the ninth on an RBI-triple by Clement, putting Cal State San Marcos ahead 4-3. The Warriors had two base runners in the bottom of the ninth, but could not push ahead the tying run.

Mark Boujikian took the loss for the Warriors while Eric Julienne picked up the win for the Cougars.

Cal State San Marcos won the second game on the strength of a three-run home run by Russo in the fourth inning. Starter Keith Johnson took the loss for the Warriors. He pitched four innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. Johnson struck out three without giving up a walk. Kellen Skersies pitched two scoreless innings without giving up a hit and struck out four of the six batters he faced.

The Warriors play four games next week. After single games at Pomona-Pitzer on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Warriors will open Golden State Athletic Conference play against Concordia in a home doubleheader.