By Ron Smith
February 13, 2026
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) The Opening Day for PacWest Baseball rendered a split decision for the Warriors. Westmont Baseball (4-1, 1-1 PacWest) dropped the opening game of the doubleheader 4-0 to the Cougars of Azusa Pacific (3-8, 1-1), then bounced back in the second game to claim a 3-1 win.
 
Westmont was unable to get the offense going in the early game, recording just five hits.
 
Cougar pitching kept the Warriors off the bases, allowing just two walks while striking out five. Casey Spencer started the game and pitched the first four innings allowing three hits while striking out five. Doug Pile, who was awarded the win, pitched the fifth inning and retired all three batters he faced. Damian Pasillas pitched the final four innings to secure his first save of the season. He gave up two hits and walked one.
 
Warrior pitching performed well, but did not get the offensive support it needed in the opener. Hammond Hunter, who suffered the loss, pitched the first four and one-third innings, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out three.
 
Hammond was replaced by Josh Hickey who pitched three and one-third innings before a 97-mph line drive off a Cougar bat struck his pitching forearm. Hickey walked off the mound immediately and headed to the dugout. He did not return to the game. The junior gave up two runs (one earned), on three hits.
 
Gayle Reagan replaced Hammond, finishing off the last inning and one-third. He did not allow a run or a hit.
 
Azusa scored two runs in the fourth off a two-RBI single by Isaiah Rios. In the eighth, two more runs were scored. The first was on the play during which Hickey was injured, which saw Chris Hernandez score from third. The second was on a bases loaded wild pitch that plated Matt Kurkdjian.
 
"Our pitching staff did a nice job today and gave us a shot to win both games," stated Westmont's head coach Paul Svagdis. "We needed to do a better job on being laser focused on our process as an offense and team. The pitchers did a good job of handling some adversity out of the gate in this series. I appreciate their tenacity in fighting back."
 
In the second game, Westmont scored all three of its runs in the second inning. With one away, Lukas Le Gras worked a walk, then advanced to first on a wild pitch. When Colin Callahan grounded out to second, Le Gras took third.

That brought up Jayden Mingus with two outs and Le Gras 90 feet away. Mingus ripped a double down the left field line, driving in Le Gras. Next, Isaac Veal stepped to the plate and sent a two-RBI home run over the left field fence to give Westmont a 3-0 lead. It was his first home run of the year.
 
The Cougars' only run came in the top of the third when Noah Lane drove a single into right field to score Jacob Freer from second.
 
Caden Beloian started the game for the Warriors and pitched three and one-third innings. He allowed one run on three hits, struck out five and gave up just one walk. Brandon Tatch pitched the final three and two-thirds of the seven-inning game. He held the Cougars scoreless, gave up just two hits, struck out four and did not issue a walk. Tatch was credited with the win – his first as a collegiate pitcher.
 
"Caden and Brandon did a fantastic job for us in game two," expressed Svagdis.
 
The two teams will conclude their four game series with a doubleheader tomorrow in Azusa at the Cougar Baseball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.