Box Score
By
Ron Smith
It took 13 innings to score a run, but that was all that was needed in Westmont Baseball's 1-0 Golden State Athletic Conference victory over San Diego Christian (9-8, 5-5 GSAC). The lone run came from the bat of
Michael Valentin, Jr. who deposited the first pitch he saw in the game into deep right field for a sacrifice fly that scored
Alex Bush from third.
Westmont starter Daniel Butler pitched nine scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. Hawks' starter Gio Ochoa matched Butler's scoreless performance, allowing five hits over nine innings. Neither starter figured in the decision.
Westmont's Sam Sheehan entered the game in the top of the 10th inning and retired nine San Diego Christian would-be hitters in order. In the process, he struck out two. The Hawk's Daniel Kopas pitched two innings, allowing one hit and a walk, but no runs.
Michael Rishwain pitched the top of the 13th inning for the Warriors and retired all three batters he faced – two by strikeout. By doing so, Rishwain was awarded the win, his second of the year.
The Warriors had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the 10th. Pinch hitter Turner Conrad led off and delivered a double to left field. After Taylor Bush replaced Conrad on second as a pinch runner, Michael Frigon laid down a sacrifice bunt that advanced Bush to third with one away. Bush was the first runner to reach third base in the game.
However, Michael Stefanic hit a pop-up near the right field line that was corralled by Hawks' second baseman Ryan Alvarez. Alex Bush was then intentionally walked before Jarrett Costa's towering fly ball to left field was hauled in by Joshua Sidely to end the inning.
With one away in the bottom of the 13th, Alex Bush was struck by a pitch and awarded first base. Costa then stepped into the batter's box and doubled down the left field line, advancing Bush to third. It was Costa's second double of the day.
That brought up Valentin who had been in the game as both a courtesy runner and a pinch runner but who had not yet had an at bat. Valentin's walk-off sacrifice fly resulted in a celebratory pursuit through the infield by his teammates.
Hawk's pitcher Zachary Ambrose was charged with the loss after pitching one and two-third innings.
The two team's will meet up again tomorrow at Russ Carr Field for a doubleheader. The start time has been moved to 10:00 a.m. in hopes of completing both games in advance of an expected storm.
