(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) (RV) Westmont (21-14, 14-8 GSAC) battled against William Jessup (17-15, 8-10) on Tuesday as the Golden State Athletic Conference rivals split the first two games of a four game series.
 
Both games ended with the opposing team having the potential tying and go-ahead runs aboard, with Jessup claiming game one 5-4 and Westmont taking the second 2-1.
 
"Jessup is a very good team," said Westmont head coach Robert Ruiz. "Everyone to an extant feels like they're playing for their season down the stretch here, so we knew we were going to face a team ready to compete."
 
In game one, Westmont pitching had done well keeping the game close, and the club entered the bottom of the sixth only down a run. But Jessup's Marlin Brucato had no intentions of surrendering the 4-3 lead.
 
Brucato, who is typically Jessup's closer, entered the ballgame in the sixth and went four innings of one-run ball while surrendering only three hits. Jessup got Brucato an insurance run in the top of the eighth just in time for Westmont's most threatening offensive display of game one.
 
With one run already in and two men on with two outs, Daniel Netz got a center-cut fastball and drove it 374 feet to center field. Unfortunately for Westmont, the center field wall is 375 feet from home plate and Jessup center fielder Kevin Gutierrez ran it down with his back against the wall.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, Westmont threatened again putting runners at first and second with one out for the heart of their lineup. But Alex Stufft popped up and Simon Reid grounded out to give Jessup the 5-4 win.
 
"In game one the story was really just missed opportunities," said Ruiz. "We had numerous guys on with nobody out multiple times and couldn't even get guys over at some points, much less get them in. So we just have to be better in those games."
 
In game two, Westmont starter Jamie Kruger turned in his best outing of 2021. Kruger, who posted a 1.38 ERA in 39 innings a year ago, came into the day with an ERA in double digits. In the first inning Kruger's command continued to work against him as he walked three batters including one with the bases loaded to give Jessup a 1-0 lead.
 
Kruger buckled down and pounded the strike zone for the remainder of the afternoon, not allowing another run in a complete game effort. However, Kruger was on the hook for the loss for most of the afternoon, because Jessup left-hander Max Moreno did not allow a baserunner until the fifth.
 
With two on and two out in the fifth, Josh Rego pinch hit for Brady Renck and took a first pitch strike. On the pitch, Thomas Rudinsky tried to steal third and was thrown out by fifteen feet to end the inning. Rego, Westmont's best right-handed hitter off the bench, was no longer eligible to pinch hit as Renck reentered defensively in the sixth.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Westmont's left-handed bats made sure the fifth-inning blunder would not be their final opportunity. After Robbie Haw singled with one out, John Jensen hit a game-tying triple to left center. And with two outs, Simon Reid singled into center field to bring home Jensen. Kruger had a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh.
 
With runners at first and second with one out, Jessup attempted a double steal and Westmont catcher Renn Duncan showcased a high baseball IQ to thwart the attempt. While all eyes were on the lead runner, Duncan threw to second to nail the trail runner by twenty feet for the second out, putting a tiring Kruger on the brink of victory.
 
"That may have been the game saving play," said Ruiz.
 
A batter later, with the tying run still at third, Kruger induced a game ending pop out to seal the victory 2-1.
 
"It's hard to express the excitement I have for Jamie today," said Ruiz. "He's been through some adversity this year and then today comes out with a 33 pitch first inning, and then still throws a complete game. For Jamie to not let one at bat or one inning define him was huge. He's starting to become the guy we know he can be and that's going to be huge for us down the stretch."
 
Westmont and William Jessup finish their season series tomorrow with another doubleheader beginning at 11:00 AM. Live coverage will be available on the Westmont Athletics website minutes ahead of first pitch.