By Ron Smith
February 5, 2024
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) After a one-day delay due to rain, Westmont Baseball (1-2-1) started the 2024 campaign with a four-game series against Regis (2-1-1) of Colorado at Russ Carr Field. In addition to the games, Westmont dedicated the new stadium seating and Eldred Family Press Box, and celebrated last year's NAIA World Series Championship by giving the members of the 2023 team their championship rings.
 
Westmont President Gayle Beebe began Saturday's proceedings by recognizing and thanking several donors who had contributed to the new baseball facilities: Wayne and Sharol Siemens, Jason & Holly Eldred, Dave & Betty Eldred, and Roger and Tracey Erickson.
 
After Beebe led a prayer of dedication for the new facility, a roll call of the 2023 team was read as each person walked forward and received their championship ring.
 

As for the four games, the Warriors found themselves in a shootout with the Rangers. In the first game on Friday, Regis put up three runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game at six runs each. In the bottom of the inning, however, Daniel Patterson delivered a shot over the left field fence for a go-ahead solo home run.
 
The Warriors carried the resulting 8-7 lead into the final frame. A seven-run top of the ninth, however, gave the Rangers the win. The Rangers' Garrett Rede delivered the big blow with a grand slam to left.
 
Regis also came back late in the second game on Friday, posting nine runs in the sixth inning to take a 13-8 lead. The Warriors added a run in the bottom half of the sixth to make it a 13-9 game. Originally scheduled for seven innings, darkness did not allow the completion of the final frame.
 
In Saturday's early game, following the on-field celebrations, the Warriors looked to turn the tables on the Rangers. Sean Youngerman took the mound for the Warriors and pitched five innings. He allowed just one unearned run and just one hit. The right-handed sophomore struck out six while issuing one walk on the way to his first win of the season.
 
Meanwhile, the Warriors put crooked numbers on the scoreboard. A two-run home run in the bottom of the first by Bryce McFeely gave the Warriors a lead they would never surrender.
 
The Warriors added two more runs in the bottom of the second on an RBI-single by Patterson and a wild pitch on which Colin Callahan scored.

Two more runs were scored in the bottom of the fourth. Patterson delivered again with an RBI-double to left center and Michael Soper scored on a bases loaded walk.
 
Three more runs in the sixth gave the Warriors a 9-1 advantage. Soper again scored on a bases loaded walk before Joey Rico was hit by a pitch to bring home Liam Critchett. Jack Bollinger then delivered an RBI-sacrifice fly to deep right field.
 
The Rangers attempted yet another comeback with five runs in the seventh, however, the Warriors matched that output with five runs in the eighth. After Andrew Guidara scored on a wild pitch, Callahan, Patterson and Soper all delivered RBI-singles. The Warriors' final run was scored by Patterson on another wild pitch.
 
For the weekend, Patterson averaged .438 at the plate, going seven for 16. He tallied one home run and three doubles while driving in six. He also walked three times.
 
The Rangers threatened again in the top of the ninth, scoring three runs. With the Warriors leading 14-9, the bases loaded and two outs, Aidan Holly was asked to close out the game on the mound for the Warriors. Holly collected his first save of the year by coaxing pinch hitter Reagan Guthrie to fly to right field where McFeely produced the final out.
 
The win in the first game gave Westmont an opportunity to split the series with the Rangers by taking Saturday's second game. Ryan Humphreys was called on for his first start of the season. He gave the Warriors four innings, allowing one run on one hit, striking out five and walking five.
 
The Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, benefiting from an error by the Rangers' shortstop that allowed Trey Dunn to score.
 
Regis evened the score in the top of the third, however Westmont scored three times in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. After a lead-off single by Jaden Mingus, Brady Boyd doubled to left center, driving in Mingus. When Tyler McEvoy singled to left field, Boyd advanced to third. An RBI-single to left center by Soper scored Grant Yzerman, who was pinch running for Boyd. A ground ball by McFeely loaded the bases before Dunn earned an RBI when he was walked.
 
After a scoreless fifth inning, Regis tied the game by putting up three runs in the top of the sixth. With sunset quickly approaching, the Warriors had one last chance to score a run and win the game before running out of daylight. The Warriors loaded the bases with two outs, but were unable to push a run across. As a result, Westmont recorded the third tie in program history.
                                                     
Providing weather permits, Westmont will travel to the Bay Area this weekend for three games at San Francisco State. On Friday, the Warriors will play Western Oregon at 10:00 a.m., then face off against the host at 2:00 p.m. Then on Saturday morning, the Warriors will face Western Oregon again with first pitch scheduled for 10:00 a.m.