Westmont Baseball claimed both games of a doubleheader against San Diego (12-31, 3-29) at Star's Field in Lakeside on Saturday as the Warriors improved to 10-22 in Golden State Athletic Conference play and 14-29 overall. The sweep makes it the first time since 2001 that the Warriors have posted double-digit conference wins.
In the opener, Drew Dowl improved his record to 4-4 in a six and two-third innings performance. Dowl gave up three runs on six hits, struck out two and issued four walks. Dan Price earned his fourth save of the year by limiting the Hawks to just one hit in two and one third innings. Price struck out three and walked three.
The Warriors took control of the game with a four run second. Shortstop Mark Boujikian, who was three for five in the game, led off the inning with a single down the left field line and then scored when designated hitter Colten Christianson doubled to right field. Terrell Wong was then called upon to lay down a sacrifice bunt which moved Christianson to third base. First baseman Mark Magdaleno was hit by a pitch, giving the Warriors men on the corners with one away.
After second baseman Luke Yardy struck out, center fielder Taylor Maddox doubled to left center, allowing Christianson to score and Magdaleno to advance to third. Bottenfield then duplicated Maddox' effort, driving in both runners.
Westmont added two more runs in the third inning when catcher Sam Wiley hit a ground-rule double down the right field line to score Bottenfield from third and left fielder Brent Meschuk from second. Bottenfield had earlier reached on a walk and advanced to third on a single to right by Meschuk. Meschuk stole second during Wiley's at-bat.
The Warriors tacked on two more insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning. Meschuk led off the final frame with an infield single and then scored on a double by Boujikian down the left field line. Boujikian scored when Christianson reached on an error.
In the second game, Westmont scored in each of the first three innings to take a 7-0 lead. Doubles by Bottenfield and Wiley gave the Warriors men on second and third with one away in the first inning. Boujikian sent a sacrifice fly to left field to score Bottenfield and Wiley crossed the plate when Christianson singled to right.
With one away in the top of the second, Magdaleno and Charles Whitman were each hit by a pitch to put Warriors on the first and second base bags. Bottenfield then doubled to right center, producing two RBIs.
Boujikian led off the top of the third inning and reached on a fielding error by the Hawk's third baseman. Christianson laid down a bunt single, advancing Boujikian to second. One out later, Zeke Torres loaded the bases with a single to left center field. Magdaleno was safe at first on another Hawks error, moving everyone up a base and scoring Boujikian. With two away, Bottenfield, who went three for four in the game, picked up two of his four RBIs with a single through the left side.
The Warriors final two runs came in the sixth inning when Torres smashed a two-run homer to left field. Wong, who had been hit by a pitch in the previous at bat, scored on the play.
Tim Crabbe notched his second win of the year in a complete, seven inning outing. Crabbe gave up four runs, three of which were earned, on eight hits. He struck out eight batsmen and allowed three walks.
Westmont returns to Russ Carr Field for a Thursday matinee game with #14 Azusa Pacific. First pitch is scheduled for three o'clock.
