After taking two games from Westmont Baseball in Santa Barbara, the California Lancers completed a sweep by taking two more games in Riverside. Originally scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday, the two teams played a nine inning game on Friday afternoon and a seven inning game on Saturday morning in order to get the games in before a pending storm.
On Friday, Westmont pitcher Gregg Pellici pitched the entire game, which the Warriors lost 6-4. Pellici gave up six runs, four of which were earned, on ten hits. He struck out three and walked two. Eric Wallace was awarded the win for California Baptist. He pitched six and two third innings allowing two runs on eight hits. Wallace tallied nine strikeouts and did not surrender a walk.
The Warriors took an early lead in the second inning when designated hitter Tim Leary led off with his sixth home run of the year. The Warriors scored another run in the inning when second baseman Evan Wadginski singled to left and drove in left fielder Geoff Rocha from third.
However, the Lancers scored three times in the bottom half of the second, twice in the fourth and once in the fifth to claim a 6-2 lead. The Warriors tacked on two runs in the top of the ninth on a two-run home run by Evan Soliman by center fielder Terrell Wong.
In Saturday's game, the Warriors out-slugged the Lancers 13-7, but fell 6-5.
Leary took the mound for the first time this year as the starter of Saturday's game. The right hander pitched three and one-third innings giving up five runs, three earned, on six hits. He struck out three and issued one walk. Dan Price relieved Leary and pitched the remaining two and two-third innings giving up one run on one hit. Price, who was charged with the loss, struck out one and walked one.
Terrell Wong doubled to left center to start the game and advanced to third on a bunt by Coby Cress. Two outs later, Wong scored on a single up the middle by Colten Christianson.
The Lancers scored four runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-1 lead, but the Warriors cut into California Baptist's margin with two unearned runs in the top of fourth. Chris Ramirez led off the inning with a single through the left side and later scored when Jordan Bottenfield reached on an error. Cress also scored in the inning when Leary singled to right.
California Baptist pushed their lead to 5-3 with a run in the bottom of the fourth before the Warriors tied the game at five-all in the top of the fifth. Rocha started off the inning with a single to right and then took second on a wild pitch. Mark Magdaleno grounded out to second, advancing Rocha to third. A singled by Ramirez drove in Rocha. Ramirez took second when Wadginski was hit by a pitch. Wong then singled to left field to drive in Ramirez. A single by Cress loaded the bases with one away, but the Warriors left the bases full when Bottenfield and Leary struck out.
The Lancers manufacture the game winning run in the bottom of the fifth when Bill Sharp singled to third and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Zach Hedges.
The Warriors will begin a four game series with Biola by hosting the Eagles on Wednesday and Thursday, at Russ Carr Field. Game time is at two o'clock on both days.
