On a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Westmont's Russ Carr Field, the Warriors' bullpen was treated to great seats for a doubleheader against Arizona Christian (8-18, 8-16 GSAC) and allowed to sit back and enjoy the Golden State Athletic Conference games as spectators – except for one of the 16 innings.
Westmont starter Daniel Butler (3-0) pitched eight innings in the opening game, giving up just one run on seven hits as the #21 Warriors (22-7, 16-6) posted a 3-1 victory over the Firestorm. Butler struck out five and allowed just one walk. Closer Hector Lujan made the only appearance from the pen, facing just three batters in the ninth to record his fourth save of the year.
In the second of the twin bill, Andrew Vasquez threw a complete seven-inning game shutout, allowing just two hits while striking out 13 of the Firestorm's batters. Vasquez improved his record to 5-1 as the Warriors posted a 5-0 win. Saturday's wins completed a three-game sweep of the Firestorm.
Westmont first baseman Alex Bush produced a one-out double in the opening inning of the first game and then advanced to third when Will Barring flied out to deep right field. Bush later scored on a wild pitch.
That run stood as the only one of the game until the top of the seventh inning. Arizona Christian's Jake Wakamatsu led off with a double down the right field line and then scored when Kyle Robbins singled up the middle.
The game was decided in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rudy Leon received a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Crowe. After Michael Stefanic lined out to center field, Bush was intentionally walked. That brought up Barring who singled to center driving in Leon. Bush also scored on the play after the ball was mishandled by the Firestorm's center fielder.
The Warriors wasted no time in the next game, posting four runs in the bottom of the first. Stefanic reached on an error to lead things off and took second when Bush singled up the middle. Barring then attempted a sacrifice bunt, but another error resulted in Stefanic scoring, Bush taking third and Barring standing on first. Matthias then stepped to the plate and deposited a three-run blast over the right center field fence.
Westmont's other run came in the second inning. With one away, Zach DeMarcus connected for an infield single. After Bush walked and advanced DeMarcus to second, Barring was hit by a pitch to fill the bases with Warriors. Matthias picked up his fourth RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Elsewhere in the GSAC this weekend, #11 The Master's (24-6, 19-5) completed a three-game sweep of #6 Concordia (21-9, 16-8). As a result, Westmont has moved into second place in the GSAC standings, two games behind the Mustangs and one game ahead of Concordia.
Next week, Westmont will host William Jessup on Thursday at three o'clock to make up a game that was rained out on February 7. The following day, Westmont will begin a four-week, 12-game road trip with a three-game series against San Diego Christian. Friday's game has been moved to Carroll Land Field at Point Loma Nazarene beginning at noon. Saturday's doubleheader will be played at Grossmont Community College, also at noon.
