
A grand slam home run by
Blake Matthias proved to be the exclamation mark on a complete game shutout by
Russell Harmening (4-0) as Westmont Baseball (11-2, 6-2 GSAC) rolled to an 8-0 Golden State Athletic Conference win over the Eagles of Biola (4-9, 2-8).
Harmening faced just 30 batters in nine innings, striking out eight while surrendering just three hits and two walks. As a result, the junior right-hander lowered his season ERA to 1.01. In 35 and two-third innings, Harmening has allowed just four runs, 17 hits and five walks while striking out 25.
The Warriors took the lead in the bottom of the second on three unearned runs. With two away and runners on second and third, the inning looked to be coming to an end when
Rudy Leon hit a ground ball to short. However, shortstop Andres Rodriguez' throw to first sailed high and went into Biola's dugout, resulting in Matthias scoring from third and
Turner Conrad scoring from second.
Ryan Crowe then singled to center to drive in Leon from second.
Michael Stefanic led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to right center field.
Alex Bush then laid down a bunt single, moving Stefanic to second base. After
Will Barring walked to fill the bases with Warriors, Matthias turned a 2-2 pitch into a no-doubter over the right-center field fence. Matthias now has a league-leading 18 RBIs.
Westmont tacked on one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out,
Michael Frigon walked, chasing Biola starter Garrett Picha (1-2) from the game. Stefanic stepped into the batters' box and smashed a ground ball back to relief pitcher Garrett Stephenson. Stephenson handled the hotly hit grounder and wheeled to throw out Frigon at second. However, Stephenson's throw was high. Eagles' second baseman Sean McCarrell, who was backing up the shortstop on the play, snagged the errant throw and dashed for second but Frigon beat him to the bag. An infield single by
Alex Bush loaded the bases before
Will Barring was hit in the back by a pitch from Stephenson, forcing in Frigon from third as the fourth unearned run of the game.
The Eagles and Warriors will conclude the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 a.m.