Westmont bats came alive in Tucson, Arizona as the Warriors posted a 12-0 win over the Beavers of Minot State from North Dakota (6-7).
Sam Nathan started on the mound for the Warriors, earning his first collegiate win after giving up just two hits in five innings of play. The freshman right-hander struck out four and walked three.
David Gabel was three for four at the plate with two runs scored and three RBIs. Alex Bush was two for four with one run and four RBIs and Brent Fukushima was two for three with an RBI.
Westmont scored early and often in the seven inning game. In the first inning, a single by Gable drove in Andrew Devian from second and a ground ball by Bush allowed Brandon Gildea to score.
Westmont added three more runs in the second inning off a combination of Warrior hits and Beaver blunders. Stroh led off with a single, stole second and took third when Graylin Derke reached on an error. Michael Frigon singled through the right side allowing Stroh to score and moving Derke to third. Derke scored on a sacrifice fly by Steven Pollex. Frigon later scored when Gildea reached on an error.
The Warriors posted four more runs in the fourth inning. Pollex led off the inning with a single through the right side, then advanced to second on a passed ball. One out later, Gildea reached on a three-base error that brought Pollex home. A double down the left field line by Gable scored Gildea.
Bush drove Gable home with a double to center, taking third on an error by the center fielder. When Fukushima singled up the middle, Bush scored the fourth run of the inning.
The fifth inning saw the Warriors tack on the final three runs. With one away, Pollex was hit by a pitch. One out later, Pollex stole second before Gildea was hit by another pitch. Gabel then drove a single up the middle to drive in Pollex and move Gildea to second. Bush drove in Gable and Gildea with a double to left.
The Warrior bullpen completed the combined shutout. Eric Bateman pitched the sixth, giving up one hit and striking out one. Shane Turner took the hill in the seventh. He walked two and struck out two but did not surrender a hit.
Westmont concludes their play in Tucson when they take on Dickinson State at 9:00 a.m.
