By Ron Smith
April 8, 2023
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Like it did in both games on Friday, #11 Westmont Baseball (31-7, 15-3 GSAC) rallied in the late innings of Saturday's game to complete a three-game sweep of Golden State Athletic Conference rival Arizona Christian (23-15, 9-9). The 4-2 victory leaves Westmont with a two-game lead over Hope International (24-7, 13-5) for first place in the GSAC standings.
 
"I told the team yesterday, even when you feel like everything is going against you, baseball has a way of making everything go your way," said Westmont's head coach Tyler LaTorre. "There are a lot of things we need to work on, but we found a way to win when win-probability was extremely low. It wasn't pretty, and there are a lot of things our players wished they had back with opportunities that they had, but we found a way to win."
 
Chase Goddard made the start for the Warriors and pitched six scoreless innings before giving up a one-out double to Deshon Thomas in the top of the seventh. With Goddard at 96 on the pitch count, LaTorre went to his bullpen, calling on Aidan Holly.
 
"I am proud of how Chase keeps his composure and never gives in to feeling like the game is going against him," said LaTorre. "Goddard went into the seventh, he didn't get the win, but he pitched well enough to deserve the win. We just didn't score any runs for him."
 
Thompson took third on a wild pitch before Griffin Swan drove a fly ball to deep right field, driving in Thomas on a sacrifice fly for the first run of the game. LaTorre then brought in left-hander Ryan Humphreys to face Daniel Durazo. Durazo singled to left field, driving in Ramirez to make it a 2-0 game.
 
In the top of the eighth, Zach Yates took the ball for the Warriors and retired the side in order on 13 pitches. He produced two strikeouts in his inning of work.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, things finally started to go Westmont's way. With one away, Renck singled past the second baseman. Then, Ryan DeSaegher reached on an error that moved Renck to second.
 
That ended the day for Arizona starter Jackson Hohensee after 111 pitches. Trey Tarver took his place on the mound to face Parker O'Neil. With a hit and run called by LaTorre, Parker singled into left allowing Renck to score and DeSaegher to reach third.
 
After Paul Mezurashi replaced O'Neil as the runner at first, Daniel Patterson was called on to pinch hit against the left-handed Tarver. On a 1-2 pitch, Patterson barreled the ball into deep left-center field for a game-tying sacrifice fly.  
 
With the game tied at two, two outs and Mezurashi on first, Finn Snyder reached on an error when a line drive glanced off the glove of the first baseman. The error also allowed Mezurashi to reach third.
 
With Michael Soper at the plate, Snyder stole second, giving the Warriors two men in scoring position. Then with the count full, Soper drilled a double into right center, bringing home both Mezurashi and Snyder and putting the Warriors ahead by two.
 
Gabe Arteaga was asked to close out the top of the ninth inning for the Warriors. The right-hander retired the side in order, including a swinging strikeout of the final batter, to earn his GSAC-leading sixth save of the year.
 
"Yesterday, Gabe came in to close out the first game, but didn't throw too many pitches," noted LaTorre. "So, he was able to rebound and pitch again today. I was happy to see Zach and Gabe come in and shut the door. Yates kept us at two runs and Gabe closed the door after we put up a four spot."
 
Yates (2-1) was credited with the win.
 
Before resuming GSAC action next weekend, the Warriors will host Saint Katherine on Tuesday afternoon at Russ Carr Field in a non-conference game and the final regular season home game.
 
On Friday and Saturday, the Warriors will be on the road for three games at The Master's in Santa Clarita. The following Friday and Saturday, Westmont will make a trip to Surprise, Arizona to take on the Spirit of Ottawa in the final three games of GSAC play.
 
"The way we have played in conference, allows us to hold our own destiny," expressed LaTorre. "We have been talking for a while now about taking care of business – that means preparation, playing for your teammates and competing. These last six games in conference play, we just need to play together, work together and prepare as if it is just another game. That's what we did in the winning streak – preparing, competing and being good teammates. That is what it will take for the next six road games."