After struggling at the plate for eight innings, Westmont bats finally came to life in the top of the ninth. With two away, Westmont's Derek Rodigo delivered a two-RBI, bloop double to right-center field to ignite a five-run rally. As a result, #14 Westmont (39-13) recorded a 5-1 win over #8 The Master's (42-11) in the fourth game of the Golden State Athletic Conference Championship.

Consequently, Westmont advanced to tomorrow's championship round needing to win just one of two games against #21 Concordia (42-15) to repeat as GSAC Champions. Concordia advanced by virtue of defeating The Master's 13-4 in the second game of the afternoon.

The Warriors' game began as a pitching duel between two of the top hurlers in the conference – GSAC Pitcher of the Year Russell Harmening for the Warriors and Conner Menez for the Mustangs. The only run given up by either pitcher was an unearned run in the bottom of the second – the product of two Warrior errors – which was nearly the difference in the game.

Neither starter figured in the decision. Harmening pitched seven inning allowing six hits. He struck out two and did not surrender a walk. Menez allowed just three hits in seven and a one-third innings, striking out four and walking four.

Hector Lujan would be credited for the win after retiring every batter he faced in the eighth and ninth inning. The Master's Aaron Alexander was charged with the loss along with four runs on four hits.

"The zero that Lujan gave us in the eighth was even bigger than the one he gave us in the ninth," said Westmont head coach Robert Ruiz. "It was critical for a new pitcher to come in the game in a situation where we couldn't let them get any more of a lead. That zero in the eighth was huge. Then he kept his composure in the ninth after all the emotion of the top of the inning."

Designated hitter Michael Pollex led off the top of the ninth with a single. Pinch hitter David Gabel then provided a sacrifice bunt that advanced Pollex to second base.

Steven Pollex followed with a double down the right field line. His brother Michael had to hold up on the fly ball that bounced off the fence and was unable to advance farther than third base.

After a strikeout by pinch hitter Graylin Derke resulted in the second out, Rodigo was asked to pinch hit for catcher Ryan Crowe, setting up the dramatic finish.

"None of that would have happened without Michael Pollex hitting the lead-off single and then Gable bunting him over," said Rodigo. "I've been hitting well lately, but I really just wanted to keep it simple and hit the ball hard and keep it in play. Unfortunately, I didn't hit it hard, but it was in the right spot. So, it worked out for us. I was just really lucky and super grateful that coach put me in the spot to succeed today."

Asked for his reaction after seeing the ball fall safely to the turf, Rodigo replied, "Pure joy. I was just so happy I was able to pick up the team and give us a chance to win."

Michael Frigon took over as pinch runner for Rodgio and then scored when Michel Stefanic singled to left-center. After a pitching change, Alex Bush walked to give the Warriors runners on first and second. Will Barring then doubled to left-center, dropping a high fly ball between Mustang outfielders to drive in Stefanic and Bush.

With the win, Westmont has tied the record for most wins in a season at 39 – a record they set last year. Tomorrow, they will seek to win the 40th game of the year for the first time in program history – and along with it, a GSAC Championship.