Box Score

By Ron Smith
February 23, 2017
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) A four-run seventh inning turned out to be the difference as #8 Westmont Baseball (6-2, 0-1 GSAC) fell to the Oaks of Menlo (10-1, 3-0) in the Warriors' first Golden State Athletic Conference game of the 2017 season.
 
The contest, though played at Westmont's Russ Carr Field, was a home game for Menlo. The scheduled three-game series at Menlo last weekend was postponed due to both rain and the unavailability of a field to play on. Renovations on Menlo's home field have been delayed and after the rain outs, a decision was made to move the three games to Westmont, but to retain the Oaks as the home team. The other two make-up games will be played on April 6 and April 28.
 
Westmont faced Menlo starter Jason Alexander who last May pitched a complete game against the Warriors to claim a 9-3 win and eliminate Westmont from the GSAC Tournament.
 
In today's game, Alexander retired the first 10 Warriors he faced. However, with one away in the top of the fourth, designated hitter Matt Matlock stepped to the plate and redirected a 1-1 pitched to a spot over the right-center field fence. The solo home run was the fifth of Matlock's Westmont career and his first this season.
 
Second baseman Michael Stefanic followed Matlock with a base hit to center field and then advanced to second on a wild pitch with Derek Rodigo at the plate. Rodigo struck out on a check swing for the second out of the inning while Stefanic stole third on the play. Third baseman Luke Coffey entered the batter's box with two outs and drove in Stefanic with a single to center field.
 
The Warriors added to their lead in the top of the sixth to go ahead 3-0. A lead-off single to right by Conner McManigal was followed by a well-placed bunt single by Matlock.
 
With no outs and runners on first and second, Stefanic drove the ball to the warning track in right field, allowing Matlock to tag up and reach third base. Rodigo then produced an RBI sacrifice bunt down the first base line to bring home Matlock.
 
Westmont starter Daniel Butler held the Oaks scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning. With runners on first and second and one away, Butler threw a 3-2 pitch to Joe Gillette. The Oak's third baseman powered the ball over the center field fence for a three-run home run, tying the game.
 
With a pitch count of 121, Butler was removed from the game in favor of right-hander Stephan Larson. The senior relief pitcher coaxed Dalton Maxwell to fly out to center for the second out of the inning. However, shortstop Julian Jarrard pounded a solo home run to left field that would prove to be the winning run.
 
Larson (0-2) took the loss for the Warriors while Alexander (3-0) was awarded the win. Butler pitched six and one-third innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, striking out eight and walking two.
 
Westmont's Cory Dawson pitched the final one and one-third innings for the Warriors allowing one hit and striking out three.
 
Menlo's Kevin George pitched the last two innings for the Oaks, allowing one hit, striking out three and picking up his second save of the year.
 
On Friday, Westmont will host the Eagles of Biola in the first game of a three-game series. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.