Box Score

By Ron Smith
February 8, 2017
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont bats exploded for 10 runs and 16 hits as the eight-ranked Warriors (3-0) notched a 10-5 non-conference victory over the Sea Beggars of Providence Christian at Russ Carr Field. Nine different Warriors collected hits with Connor McManigal and Michael Stefanic leading the way with three hits apiece.
 
Sean Coyne picked up his first win of the season by pitching two scoreless innings in relief while allowing two hits. Coyne struck out three and walked one. Grant Gardner started on the bump for the Warriors and pitched four-plus innings. The right-hander allowed five runs on six hits, struck out three and walked one.
 
Cory Dawson, Toby Dunlap and Rob Hill each pitched one inning for the Warriors in relief without allowing a run. Hill and Dunlap retired the side in order while Dawson allowed one hit.
 
McManigal started things off right for the Warriors, knocking a lead-off home run over the right-field fence. Westmont scored again in the first when Luke Coffey drove a single through the left side to bring Matt Matlock in from third.
 
Westmont doubled their advantage in the third inning on a two-run home run by Coffey that drove in Michael Pollex. Pollex had previously reached on single through the right side.
 
After the Sea Beggars scored three times in the top of the fourth, Westmont responded by matching the tally run-for-run. Catcher Robert Mendez reached on an error by Providence's shortstop and was replaced on the base pads by courtesy runner Taylor Bush. A double to left center by McManigal moved Bush to third.
 
A ground ball to the right side of the infield brought home Bush and moved McManigal to third with one away. McManigal scored when Stefanic doubled down the right field line. A double down the left field line by Pollex brought home Stefanic to make the score 7-3 in favor of the Warriors.
 
Providence Christian scored another two runs in the top of the fifth to make it a 7-5 game. However, once more Westmont responded by matching the Sea Beggars' offensive output in the bottom half of the same inning.
 
Neil Sterling led off the bottom of the fifth with a double down the left field line. That brought up Austin McGilvra whose well placed bunt down the third base line resulted in Sterling reaching third. The Sea Beggars third baseman throw the ball wide of the first base bag in an attempt to retire McGilvra, and Sterling headed for third.
 
However, Providence's second baseman was backing up the play and his throw to third caught Sterling in a run-down that resulted in the inning's first out.
 
With one away, pinch hitter Isaiah Leach, standing in for Mendez, singled through the left side, allowing McGilvra to reach third. After Mendez re-entered, Bush once more served as a courtesy runner for Mendez. McManigal then produced a bunt single that scored McGilvra and moved Bush to second base. Bush later scored on a double by Stefanic down the right field line.
 
The Warriors added one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one away, Jon Rozeboom entered the batter's box as the designated hitter and doubled down the left field line. Rozeboom scored the final run of the game when McGilvra singled to right center.
 
Next up for Westmont is a three-game series with the Warriors of Corban (Ore.). Saturday, the two teams are scheduled for a doubleheader beginning at 11:00. Then on Monday, Westmont and Corban will play a single game at 2:00 p.m.