Westmont Baseball (33-14, 20-13 GSAC) completed a season sweep of Golden State Athletic Conference opponent Arizona Christian (13-33, 5-31) by taking both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday at Firestorm Field. The Warriors won the opening game 11-2 and rallied to win the second game 17-8.
The Warriors are now one win away from tying the program record for most wins in a single season. The 1989 team, coached by John Kirkgard, posted a record of 34-16.
Russell Harmening earned his 11th win of the season, which is tied for most in the NAIA. In seven innings of work, he allowed two runs on four hits, struck out seven and walked two. Daniel Butler pitched the final two innings, retiring all six batters that he faced.
In the seven-inning second game, starter Alex Bush pitched four innings allowing five runs on eight hits. He struck out four and walked four. Devin Matson entered the game in the fifth inning with the Warriors trailing 5-3. He allowed one run on no hits and was the pitcher of record when the Warriors produced eight runs in the top of the sixth. As a result, Matson was credited with the win and improved to 2-1 on the year.
At the plate, Westmont tallied 28 runs on 27 hits over the two games. Steven Pollex and Brandon Gildea each went five of nine. Pollex drove in four RBIs and five runs scored. Gildea had one RBI and scored once. Will Barring was three for six with two RBIs and five runs scored.
With three games remaining in the regular season, Westmont is tied with #16 Concordia (33-15, 20-13) for third place in the GSAC standings. Concordia and Westmont are one game ahead of #24 Vanguard (28-18, 19-14) and one game behind #12 The Master's (35-13, 21-12), which is in second place.
Westmont will conclude the regular season by hosting The Master's in a three game series on Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26. One win in that series will guarantee the Warriors a place in the four-team GSAC Tournament which begins May 1.
Should the Warriors win all three games and league-leading #5 San Diego Christian (35-15, 22-11) were to lose all three games against Biola (14-35, 10-23), the Warriors would be the top-seed in the tournament. If Westmont wins three and San Diego Christian wins at least one game, Westmont will be the number two the number two seed.
If Westmont takes two of three from The Master's, the Warriors will be the second seed in the tournament unless Vanguard, who will play Concordia, wins out. In that case, Westmont would be the third seed.
