Box Score
By
Ron Smith
Westmont's
Daniel Butler (6-0) threw a no-hitter on Friday afternoon at Russ Carr Field in the #6 Warriors' 6-0 Golden State Athletic Conference win over Arizona Christian (9-14, 6-10). This marks the third game in a row in which Butler has gone nine innings. With the win, Westmont improves to 21-4 overall and 11-2 in GSAC play.
"I actually thought he had one of the slowest starts he had all year," said Westmont head coach Robert Ruiz. "One of his strengths is getting ahead in the count – but he wasn't in the first two innings. However, he was obviously still having success. In the second inning, I was thinking this might be a short outing for him. But he got a little bit better every inning."
In the top of the first inning, the Firestorm's lead-off man, Christopher Burks, was hit by a pitch. Hector Ortiz then reached first on a fielder's choice that saw Burks retired at second. Tate Erickson then hit into a double play that went first base to shortstop to pitcher.
"I heard Daniel and our catcher, Jarrett Costa, talking between the first couple of innings, trying to make subtle adjustments and trying to get his stuff where it needed to be," said Ruiz. "I really noticed his improvement about the fifth inning and tried not to think about the no-hitter because we were in the midst of a competitive game."
Butler retired the next 24 Firestorm batters in order and as a result faced the minimum number of 27 batters in the game. In the process, he struck out seven batters.
"[Pitching] Coach Cougoule draws up a great game plan for all the teams we face," said Butler, "I just tried to keep the ball down low and execute the game plan. I just wanted to give us a chance to win."
"Daniel's slider looked better in the ninth than it did in the seventh and his velocity was up there," noted Ruiz. "He kept them off balance. I have to commend him for that, he did a great job."
Offensively, the Warriors scored two runs in the bottom of the third, which proved to be more than they would need. The first run was tallied when Derek Rodigo scored from third on a wild pitch. The second came on an RBI-double by Andrew Devan that scored Turner Conrad.
An RBI-single by Alika McGuire in the fourth inning drove in Michael Valentine and RBI-single by Costa drove in Michael Stefanic in the fifth.
Conrad picked up an RBI in the sixth when he drove in McGuire with a single to left and then drove in McGuire again in the eighth.
The Warrior run production gave Butler plenty of cushion when he took the mound in the top of the ninth.
"I just tried to stay calm and stick with the plan," said Butler of his state of mind when he took the mound in the final inning.
Butler coaxed a ground out to short by Tatum Hendrix and then struck out AJ Arroyo for the second out. The final out came on a fly ball to center field by Michael Dunnebecke that was caught by McGuire.
"Coach Cougoule calls every pitch and works really hard to prepare both himself and the pitchers," said Ruiz. "This is a great credit to him. I am very excited for what he is doing with this pitching staff."
Westmont and Arizona Christian will meet up again tomorrow at Russ Carr Field for a doubleheader. First pitch is at 11:00 p.m.
