Box Score

By Ron Smith

The Warriors exploded for eight runs in the first two innings as #16 Westmont Baseball (3-1) picked up a 16-5 win over Providence Christian (0-6) on Saturday night. The game was called after seven innings due to the NAIA mercy rule.

"I was happy with our intent," said Westmont head coach Robert Ruiz, explaining 'intent' as "playing the game with a good level of focus, believing in a pitch and throwing it with conviction and taking good swings with good intent behind them. We did a good job with that throughout the game."

Right-handed starter Brendon Shoemake picked up the win for the Warriors. The senior transfer pitched five innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on eight hits. Shoemake struck out eight and issued two walks.

"I was really happy with Brendon's start on the mound," said Ruiz. "I thought he did a really nice job. We were trying to get him some competitive innings and get him in rhythm. He handled some adversity early in the game when we lost a ball in the lights and committed an error that resulted in three runs. Brendon kept his composure and did a good job of staying in the strike zone and not giving into the situation."

At the plate, Derek Rodigo went two for two with a sacrifice fly and a walk to record two runs and five RBIs. Jarrett Costa went three for four with a walk. He scored three times and drove in three. Alika McGuire went two for five with the bat and scored three times.

The Warriors scored twice in the first and six times in the second to take an early 8-4 lead. In the fourth inning, they erupted for six more runs and then added a final pair of runs in the fifth.

Westmont will have little time to rest before tomorrow afternoon's home game against Saint Katherine at Russ Carr Field. First pitch is at two o'clock.