Unearned runs proved to be the difference in Westmont Baseball’s 3-2 non-conference loss to the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona on Friday at Russ Carr Field.
Westmont’s Jake Molinar took the mound as an ‘opener’ and was expected to pitch just one inning. However, he earned another inning with his performance.
After striking out the first batter he faced, he got the second to pop up to first. Molinar hit the next batter with a pitch, but then induced a ground out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the first, Jesse Di Maggio gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead when he hit the first pitch he saw over the left field fence just inside the foul pole for a solo homerun.
Molinar returned to the bump to pitch the top of the second and retired the side in order, including striking two out.
Westmont’s lead held up until the top of the sixth when lead-off batter Diego Murillo’s home run to left tied the game at one run apiece. One out later, Jack Sanders reached on an error, then stole second. After Sander’s took third on a ground out to first, Tyler Blade singled through the left side, driving in Sanders and giving Cal Poly a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, freshman Bobby Logue recorded his first collegiate home run by pounding a 394-foot solo shot to left that tied the score at 2-2.
The tie would not last long. With one away in the top of the eighth, Sanders singled up the middle. An errant throw attempting to prevent him from stealing second went into center field and Sanders scampered to third. Then, Sanders scored the eventual winning run on a wild pitch in the dirt.
The Warriors outhit the Broncos 11-4, but had trouble capitalizing on their opportunities, leaving 12 men on base. Twice, Westmont left the bases loaded.
Joey Rico took the loss for the Warriors, giving up three runs, but only one earned. He gave up four hits in six innings, struck out six and walked two.
Manny Soto pitched the last inning, retiring the side in order on nine pitches.The Warriors and Broncos return to Russ Carr Field tomorrow to conclude their three game series with a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.