By Ron Smith
February 28, 2025
 
(FRESNO, Calif.) Bryce McFeely hit a home run in each game to help #8 Westmont Baseball (15-2, 10-0 PacWest) sweep a doubleheader at Fresno Pacific (9-8, 4-6) as the Warriors extended their winning streak to 14 games.
 
With additional home runs today from Michael Soper and Trey Dunn, the Warriors have tallied 29 home runs in the first 17 games of the season to lead the PacWest.
 
Bryan Peck started the game for the Warriors and pitched five innings. He allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits, struck out five and allowed two walks.
 
The Warriors fell behind 1-0 when the Sunbirds' Chris Clement produced a solo home run in the bottom of the first. Westmont answered immediately, posting two runs in the top of the second.
 
Trey Dunn doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning. Jack Bollengier followed Dunn and struck out. However, the ball got away from Fresno Pacific's catcher, allowing Bollengier to reach first on the wild pitch and Dunn to advance to third.
 
After Isaac Veal walked to load the bases, another wild pitch allowed Dunn to score while Veal and Bollengier moved to second and third respectively. The third wild pitch of the innings scored Bollengier.
 
The score remained 2-1 until the top of the fifth when Michael Soper powered a two-run home run over the right-field fence. Daniel Patterson scored on the play after walking ahead of Soper.
 
However, the Sunbirds tied the game at four runs apiece in the bottom of the fifth on a two-RBI double by Roman Rosales and an RBI-ground ball by Teejan Smith.
 
Kade Fujioka took over for Peck in the top of the sixth. The freshman improved to 3-0 on the year by pitching two and two-third innings and allowing just one run on one hit.
 
In the top of the seventh, Bryce McFeely powered a two-run home run over the left field fence. Before McFeely came up to bat, Soper singled through the right side with two outs.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Fresno Pacific pulled to within a single run (6-5). A couple of walks and a wild pitch provided the Sunbirds with runners on the corners and no outs. When Austin Cappas hit into a double-play, Mallonee scored from third.
 
Zach Yates took over for the final batter of the eighth and pitched the ninth to earn his fourth save of the year.
 
As in the early game, Fresno Pacific scored first in the nightcap. Cappas led off the second inning with a solo home run for the first score of a two-run inning. One out later, Smith doubled to left center. Then, with two away, Gabe Henderson reached on an error that also allowed Smith to score.
 
The Warriors scored all five of their runs in the top of the fourth. Patterson led off with a single up the middle, then stole second. Soper walked with ball four getting past the catcher, allowing Patterson to reach third. That brought up McFeely who hit a 438-foot, three-run home run. His second round-tripper of the day.
 
Trey Dunn followed McFeely with a home run of his own. Dunn and McFeely now lead the Warriors in home runs with five each.
 
One out later, Grant Yzermans reached on a single, then took second when Jesse Di Maggio walked. With two away, Callahan walked to load the bases. That brought up Patterson who earned an RBI the hard way – by being hit with a pitch.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Fresno Pacific had runners at first and second when a single by Mallonee threatened to give flight to a Sunbird rally. Eric Wilson, who had been on second, rounded third and headed home. However, Yzermans gathered the ball in right field, then fired home, gunning Wilson down with Tyler McEvoy applying the tag. Fresno Pacific did not score again.
 
Caden Beloian earned his second win of the year (2-0) by allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. He also struck out three. Willis Lacy pitched the scoreless sixth inning allowing one hit. Yates returned to the mound for his second save of the day. Yates allowed one hit and struck out three to earn his fifth save of the season, which leads the PacWest.
 
The Warriors and Sunbirds will play again tomorrow in another doubleheader. First pitch is at noon.