By Ron Smith
February 23, 2024
 
(LA MIRADA, Calif.) It wasn't the start Westmont Baseball (7-5-1) wanted in its non-conference, four-game series with the Eagles of Biola (7-4). The Warriors dropped both games of a doubleheader, falling in the first game 12-2 and losing the second 4-2.
 
After playing errorless baseball in the four-game series with Cal Poly Pomona last weekend, the Warriors committed three errors in the opener and one more in the nightcap. All resulted in unearned runs.
 
Brian Peck was assigned the loss for the Warriors in the first game. The right-hander gave up five runs (three earned) in four innings of work. He struck out five and walked one.
 
Westmont scored a single run in the third inning on an RBI-single to left by Bryce McFeely that drove in Daniel Patterson from second. Patterson had led off the inning with a single to left, then advanced to second on a groundout to first.
 
Westmont's other run came in the sixth inning. McFeely led off the inning and hit a full-count pitch to the centerfield wall. On a subsequent wild pitch, McFeely broke for third. The Eagle's catcher retrieved the ball and fired to third. However, he overthrew the third baseman, allowing McFeely to pick himself up from his slide into third base and race home.
 
Cam Staton took the loss for the Warriors in game two. He allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits, struck out two and walked one in four and one-third innings of work. The unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth proved to be the difference in the game.
 
Trey Dunn opened up the top of the second inning with the home run to right center to put the Warriors up 1-0. However, Biola scored two in the bottom half of the same inning on a two-RBI double by Jonathan Kumai.
 
Biola extended its lead in the bottom of the fifth with two unearned runs. The first on a double down the left field line by Wyatt Duncan and the second on a sacrifice fly to center by Bobby Brown.
 
Westmont loaded the bases in the top of the sixth on a pair of hit batsmen and a bunt single by Grant Yzermans. Colin Callahan hit a single to left that scored Dunn from third, but three strikeouts – two looking – ended the Warrior threat.
 
In the top of the seventh, Michael Soper and McFeely both reached as the result of errors to give Westmont runners on first and second with no outs. One out later, both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. However, the next two Warrior batters were retired, ending the game.
 
Westmont outhit Biola Eagles 8-4 in the game, but Warrior batters hit into two double plays and left 11 men on base.
 
Another doubleheader between the two teams is scheduled for tomorrow, but this time at Westmont's Russ Carr Field. First pitch is planned for 11:00 a.m.