By Ron Smith
March 5, 2024
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) On a Tuesday afternoon at Russ Carr Field, Westmont Baseball (10-7-3) hosted the Royals of Hope International (10-9). The Royals prevailed 12-2.
 
The Warriors used the opportunity of a non-conference game to give the majority of their starters a bit of rest, and several reserves an opportunity for playing time. By design, nine different pitchers took the mound for Westmont. That included Chase Goddard who, after dealing with an early season injury, made his season debut by pitching the first two innings. Goddard did not allow a run or a hit. He walked one and struck out one.
 
From that point on, no Westmont hurler pitched more than an inning and one-third. Among the Warrior relievers was Tanner Beltowski who pitched the sixth inning and retired the side in order.
 
In the bottom half of the sixth, the Warriors produced their only runs of the game. Michael Soper led off with a walk, bringing up freshman Brody Boyd who was playing first base. Boyd blasted a 1-2 count over the left-field fence for his first home run as a Warrior.
 
At the time, Boyd's bomb made it a  3-2 game. However, Hope International did all the scoring the rest of the way to claim the victory.
 
Next week, the Warriors, who have a 2-1-1 PacWest Conference record, head to Honolulu to take on both Hawai'i Pacific (13-4, 5-1) and Chaminade (10-11, 3-3) in PacWest play. The Warriors and Sharks will play doubleheaders on both Monday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 12. The four-game series with Chaminade will take place March 16-17.
 
Westmont will next play at home on Monday and Tuesday, March 25-26 when they host the Vulcans of Hawai'i Hilo (10-12, 3-5).