By Ron Smith
February 19, 2018
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) After winning Friday's game of the three-game series at William Jessup (16-4. 8-1 GSAC), Westmont Baseball (10-5, 4-5) lost both ends of a Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday, falling to Jessup 14-4 in the first game and 3-1 in the second. The Warriors were victims of a two-run, walk-off home run by Cal Koga in the final game.
 
Westmont took an early lead in Saturday's opener when Brodie Weiss scored from second on a single up the middle by Henry Hedeen.  Weiss previously reached on an infield single, then advanced to second on a single to right by Michael Stefanic.
 
The lead didn't last long as Westmont gave up five runs in the bottom of the first and never recovered. Starter David Gaydos would be charged with the loss after surrendering five runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning.
 
Luke Coffey hit a solo home run in the third inning. Weiss picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice in the fourth inning that drove in Bryce Morison. Westmont's final run came in the seventh inning on an RBI-double by Coffee down the right-field line that drove in Weiss from first.
 
The second game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth. With Hedeen on first and Stefanic on third with two away, the Warriors executed a double steal. Hedeen took off for second and drew a throw from Koga, Jessup's catcher. With the throw, Stefanic took off for home, scoring the go-ahead run.
 
Westmont held on to the 1-0 lead until the final frame of the seven-inning game. Starter Toby Dunlap pitched five and two-third scoreless innings, but would not figure in the decision. Dunlap gave up six hits, struck out five and walked three.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Dunlap was replaced on the mound by Lance Simpson with runners at first and second with two away. Simpson walked Steven Pastora to load the bases but then struck out Sam Curtis to end the threat and preserve the Warrior's 1-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, however, Jessup would finally get on the board. The first run was scored on an RBI-double by Andrew Shaps that scored Austen Swift from second to tie the score at one run apiece. That brought up Koga, who ended the game with a shot over the left field fence.
 
Simpson would be charged with the loss after giving up three runs on two hits in two and one-third innings of work.
 
Westmont returns home for four games this week. On Tuesday, the Warriors will host British Columbia at 2:00 p.m. in a non-conference game. Then on Friday and Saturday, Westmont will welcome Menlo to Russ Carr Field for a three-game series.