By Ron Smith
February 10, 2023
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Baseball (8-1) extended its winning streak to the eight games on Saturday by sweeping a home doubleheader against the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech (2-3). The thirteenth ranked Warriors downed the Owls 13-3 in the first game and prevailed 7-3 in the second.
 
"We are continuing to hone in on the little things that end up being big things toward the end of the year," said Westmont's head coach Tyler LaTorre. "After the second game, I told our guys that one of the most important things our coaching staff noticed was that there were two big zeros after the games in the error column. I think we are playing good defense, which is helping out our pitching staff."
 
In addition to making the ordinary plays, Westmont made some extraordinary plays – outfielders keeping runners from scoring, infielders charging ground balls and getting the out at first. Shortstop Robbie Haw made two outstanding barehanded plays to help the Warriors out of tight spots.
 
"Robbie is about as reliable as you get – whether it is with his bat or with his glove," noted LaTorre. "To have someone play shortstop with his leadership ability is really special. He had two game-changing plays. It is not just that he barehanded it, but it is the accuracy of his throw and the reaction his teammates give him. I hope our younger players are watching a player of his caliber and his experience go about his business."
 
Offensively, the Warriors notched 17 hits over the two games, nine of them for extra bases.
 
Brady Renck continued to have a hot bat, going six for eight on the day with a home run, a triple, a double, five runs scored and five RBIs. In nine games this season, the senior has posted a .576 batting average and a 1.643 OPS.
 
"Brady is a special talent," asserted LaTorre. "He is a thinker of the game and a true throw-back baseball player. He can run, he can hit a fastball, he can hit an off-speed pitch, he can hit with two strikes and he can hit early in the count. He is a special, all-around player. He is a table starter and a table finisher that drives in runs. He is the total package in my opinion – defense, run, hit in the top of the lineup and hit with guys on base."
 
Starter Bryan Peck (2-0) claimed the win in the first game, pitching seven innings and giving up two runs (one earned) while allowing seven hits. He struck out 10 and did not surrender a walk. Aiden Holly closed out the game with two innings of work, allowing one solo home run but no other hits. He struck out four and walked one.
 
"To have Bryan go out there and give us such a strong outing each week, coupled with our ability to respond offensively and to add on to a lead, helps us to save the bullpen," explained LaTorre.
 
Westmont scored three runs in the bottom of the first. The first came off a double to left-center field by Bryce McFeely that drove in Renck. Ryan DeSaegher scored the second run on a passed ball and Parker O'Neil drove in the third on a sacrifice fly to right.
 
After the Husltin' Owls scored two in the top of the second, Renck delivered a three-run home run to right center, to give Westmont a 6-2 advantage.
 
A two-out solo home run by McFeely produced the Warriors' seventh run of the game.
 
Six more runs came across the plate for the Warriors in the bottom of the sixth, accounting for the balance of Westmont's scoring. Renck scored on a ground ball to third by Shane Hofstadler. Then with two away, Paul Mezurashi doubled to left field with the bases loaded. All three runners scored.
 
Three batters later, with the bags reloaded with Warriors, Renck delivered a two-RBi single into right field to give Westmont a 13-2 advantage.
 
In game number two, Eric Oseguera (3-0) took the mound and picked up his third win of the year. Oseguera gave up three runs in the first inning on a home run by Mathew Ortiz. He struggled with his control in the second, but ultimately pitched himself out of a jam without surrendering a run. In the third and fourth innings, Oseguera settled in and did not give up a run or a hit.
 
Gabe Arteaga picked up his second save of the year with three scoreless innings in which he did not allow a hit. He struck out three and walked one.
 
"On back-to-back weekends, Gabe has solidified a long save," noted LaTorre. "With our starting pitchers not ready at this point of the season for 100 to 120 pitches, it is important to strategically use your bullpen. Gabe gave us three solid innings in a save. He attacked the strike zone and he is fearless. He has confidence in his defense and in his abilities. With his experience, he is a weapon out of the bullpen."
 
After the Owl's blast in the first, Westmont scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning on a home run by Ryan DeSaegher, his second of the year.
 
Westmont's Kaden Tsuji provided the firepower in the second inning, driving a two-run home run over the left-center field fence that left the yard quickly. It was Tsuji's first home run as a Warrior.
 
In the bottom of the third, the Warriors added two more runs. With runners on second and third and one away, David Martinez delivered a two-RBI single down the right field line, making the score 6-3
 
Westmont added one more in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by DeSaegher that drove in Renck after he had tripled. It was DeSaegher's third hit and third RBI of the day.
 
The Hustlin' Owls and Warriors will go at it again tomorrow in another doubleheader at Thorrington Field. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.