Warriors Rally – Twice
 
By Ron Smith
April 7, 2023
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) In a match-up of Top-25 teams, #11 Westmont Baseball (30-7, 14-3 GSAC) faced multi-run deficits in both games of Friday's doubleheader with #25 Arizona Christian (23-14, 9-8), but came back strong to claim a pair of Golden State Athletic Conference wins.
 
As a result of today's victories, and a split between #6 Hope International (23-7, 12-5) and Jessup (15-18-1, 8-11-1), Westmont now has a two-game lead over Hope International for first place in the GSAC standings. Both teams have seven games remaining.
 
In the first game today, Arizona Christian put up three runs in the top of the first on an RBI-groundout by Trey Tarver and a bases-loaded single up the middle by Sean Garcia. The Firestorm added another run in the seventh on a solo home run by Daniel Durzao, making the score 4-0.
 
Firestorm pitcher Eli Elliott took a no hitter into the eighth inning. Back-to-back singles by Finn Snyder and Trey Dunn, gave the Warriors their first scoring opportunity of the game and sent Elliott to the dugout after his 114th pitch.
 
Reliever Bear Pinedo retired the first batter he faced, but as it turned out, it was the only batter he would get out. Robbie Haw reached on an error to load the bases before Brady Renck singled to right field to drive in two and give the Warriors runners on the corners.
 
The Warriors reloaded the bases when Ryan DeSaegher walked. Bryce McFeely then came to the plate as a pinch hitter. McFeely worked a walk as well, picking up an RBI and making the score 4-3.
 
After another pitching change by the Firestorm, Parker O'Neil singled into right field, plating both Renck and DeSaegher and giving Westmont a 5-4 lead.
 
Then Parker Zarbaugh sent a two-RBI single to center field, extending the Warrior advantage to 7-4. One out later, Dunn came to the plate for the second time in the inning and singled to left to bring home Zarbaugh and make it an 8-4 score.
 
Bryan Peck (6-1) pitched the first six innings for the Warriors but did not figure in the decision. The sophomore right hander, who is the reigning GSAC Pitcher of the Week, allowed three runs on five hits, struck out four and walked four.
 
Sean Youngerman (2-0) pitched the seventh and eighth innings and was credited with the win. He allowed one run on one hit (Durazo's home run). Gabe Arteaga pitched the ninth and gave up a solo home run to Enrique Porchas, but retired the other three batters he faced.
 
The second game started much like the first with the Firestorm scoring three runs in the top of the first. With men on first and second and one away, Marques Titialii reached on an error with Durazo scoring on the play. Then, Tarver singled to left to bring home Porchas. The third run was courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Troy Collins to left field.
 
Westmont took back one run in the bottom half of the first when O'Neil's groundout to short allowed Renck to score from third.
 
However, Arizona Christian added a single run in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly by Durazo and two more runs in the third on a two-run home run to right by Deshon Thomas.
 
Westmont trailed 6-1 going into the bottom of the fourth inning, but emerged from the fourth with the score tied. Michael Soper led off with a single to center. One out later, Kaden Tsuji singled to left, giving Westmont runners at first and second.
 
With Jack Fletcher running for Tsuji, Haw was hit by a pitch to load the bases. That brought up Renck who was walked, making the score 6-2. Ryan DeSaegher reached on a catcher's interference, allowing Fletcher to score and draw the Warriors to within three.
 
Then with two away, a wild pitch scored Haw from third while moving Renck and DeSaegher to third and second respectively. Critchett, who was at the plate during the wild pitch, sent a 1-2 pitch into center field to drive in Renck and DeSaegher.
 
Arizona Christian regained the lead in the top of the fifth with a 377-foot solo shot to dead center field. That lead would not, however, last long.
 
Leading off the bottom of the seventh, Dunn doubled down the right field line. Tsuji then attempted a sacrifice bunt. The ball was fielded by the pitcher who threw wide of first, allowing Dunn to score and Tsuji to reach third.
 
With Fletcher running again at third, Haw reached on an error by the shortstop that drove in Fletcher from third.
 
Headed into the sixth inning with an 8-7 Warrior lead, head coach Tyler LaTorre decided to make a change on the mound. Starter Eric Oseguera (6-0), who would eventually be credited with the win, pitched five innings giving up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits. He struck out three and walked two.

Taking his place was Lucien Wechsberg who pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on one hit. Wechsberg was awarded his first save in a Warrior uniform.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Westmont added five insurance runs. After McFeely was walked, Snyder singled to left, advancing McFeely to second. Soper then laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving McFeely and Snyder to second and third.
 
Dunn then stepped to the plate and drove in both runners with a single to center. With two away, Haw and Renck both walked, reloading the bases with Warriors. DeSaegher followed with a two-RBI single that pushed Dunn and Haw across the plate and moved Renck to third. A wild pitch allowed Renck to score the fifth run of the inning.
 
Arizona Christian added one more run in the top of the seventh, but it was not enough to overcome the Warriors.
 
Both teams will meet up again tomorrow at Russ Carr Field for a single game to conclude the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.