Box Score

By Ron Smith
April 8, 2017
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Warrior bats recorded 11 hits as Westmont Baseball (23-15, 9-11 GSAC) posted a 9-1 Golden State Athletic Conference victory on Saturday afternoon at Russ Carr Field. Michael Stefanic led the way offensively, going three for four at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. Neil Sterling was two for three with a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
 
Westmont starter Sean Coyne (4-1) was awarded the win after pitching six and two-third innings and allowing one run on four hits. Coyne struck out six and walked two. Rob Hill pitched the eighth inning, retiring the side in order while striking out one. Lance Simpson took over mound duties in the ninth, allowing a hit and a walk but keeping the inning scoreless.
 
With two away in the bottom of the first inning, Stefanic singled to right field and then took second when Derek Rodigo walked. A double steal advanced both runners one base before Stefanic scored on a passed ball.
 
Westmont added a single run in the bottom of the third to make the score 2-0. Connor McManigal singled to start the inning off and then stole second base. A single through the right side by Stefanic moved McManigal to third, bringing up Rodigo. The right fielder grounded to short, setting up a potential double play. Stefanic was retired at second but Rodigo beat the relay to first as McManigal scored.
 
Stefanic led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to center field. Rodigo flew out to deep center, which allowed Stefanic to reach third after tagging up. Luke Coffey then delivered a single to left field to drive in Stefanic.
 
With Coffey on first, Sterling hit a towering shot to left that bounced on the road beyond the outfield fence and gave Westmont at 5-0 lead.
 
After William Jessup scored a single run in the top of the seventh, Westmont responded with three runs after the seventh inning stretch. Shane Soria got things started with a lead-off single to center. When Travis Vander Molen walked, Soria advanced to second.
 
Taylor Bush laid down a bunt that Jessup pitcher Mikey Saldana fielded. Saldana attempted to throw out Soria at third but throw the ball past third baseman Garrett Case. Soria got up from his slide and scampered home while Vander Molen took third and Bush made it to second.
 
One out later, with William Hoyer-Pingle pinch running for Vander Molen, Brody Weiss hit a ball to Case at third. Case attempted to throw out the runner at home, but Hoyer-Pingle slid underneath the tag for the Warriors' seventh run. After McManigal walked to load the bases, Stefanic knocked a sacrifice fly into center field to bring home Bush.
 
Westmont's ninth run came in the eighth inning. Coffey walked to start off the inning and took second when Soria reached on an error. Vander Molen was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. One out later, Kyle Soria drove in Coffey with a ground ball to short.
Next week, the Warriors will play three conference games at Hope International. The games will be played at Valencia High School in Placentia with a single game on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. and a doubleheader on Thursday at 11:00 a.m.