The Westmont baseball team’s NAIA World Series championship was the program’s first and the school’s 10th national title overall. It was also the first by a men’s team since the soccer team won the NAIA crown in 1972.
The Warriors defeated 19-time champion and World Series host Lewis-Clark State, 7-6, on Friday night in Lewiston, Idaho.
Eight women’s teams at Westmont have claimed the NAIA’s national championship red banner: soccer five times (1985, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003), women’s basketball twice (2013, 2021) and women’s tennis once (1982).
First-year coach Tyler LaTorre was filled with gratitude after guiding the Warriors to the national title in their final year as a member of the NAIA. The school moves to NCAA Division 2 in the fall.
“There are many people that are a part of this, the president of the school, Dr. Beebe, our athletic director and former head coach Robert Ruiz, and the whole athletic department,” said LaTorre. “The journey of this team was set forth years ago. Robert Ruiz was brought in to save the program and he did that, getting us to Lewiston last year.
“Players came back this year with a new head coach. None of our guys left. None of them wanted to transfer anywhere else. Elijah Ontiveros, our assistant coach, communicated with them and they trusted in him when he told them about who was coming in.
“I am truly indebted to Elijah and Robert Ruiz and Dave Odell and our entire athletic department for pushing me to be the best coach I could be. I am so humbled to be a part of this athletic department.”
Two Warriors were named to the World Series All-Tournament Team: third baseman Ryan DeSaegher and pitcher Lucien Wechsberg.
DeSaegher hit .375 (9 of 24) over six games and drove in 11 runs. Wechsberg, made three appearances. He pitched 5.2 innings and recorded two saves. He did not allow a run and surrendered just five hits. He struck out seven and did not permit a walk.
Carpinteria High alum David Martinez played a key role for the Warriors. Known as “D-Mart,” he produced as a hitter, fielder and a pitcher in a pinch. He also was a team leader. His journey to Westmont included stops at Cuesta College and SBCC.
