Beggars Score 5 in 10th to Win It
For much of Friday evening's contest at Amerige Park in Fullerton, the Westcliff baseball team was in control. Shawn Hepler got the start and was better than solid through seven and two-thirds, striking out 11, and allowing just three earned. After Keith Hale belted a homerun to right-center in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-2 lead, the Warriors needed just a couple more zeros to capture the win. That didn't happen. Providence Christian scored one in the eighth, one more in the ninth to tie it, and put up a crooked five-spot in the top of the 10th to claim a 9-4 victory.
by BRANDON PETERSEN
For much of Friday evening's contest at Amerige Park in Fullerton, the Westcliff baseball team was in control.
Shawn Hepler got the start and was better than solid through seven and two-thirds, striking out 11, and allowing just three earned.
After Keith Hale belted a homerun to right-center in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-2 lead, the Warriors needed just a couple more zeros to capture the win.
That didn't happen.
Providence Christian scored one in the eighth, one more in the ninth to tie it, and put up a crooked five-spot in the top of the 10th to claim a 9-4 win.
Head coach David Shermet said Friday that his squad has killed itself in too many opportunities this season.
After Hepler left the mound, it took four pitchers to close out the contest.
Besides Hale's shot in the seventh, the bats went cold as well.
Hale finished the day 4-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI.
Daniel Esqueda went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and scored on Hale's homerun.
Wyatt Baptiste (1-for-5, two stolen bases) scored a run in the second.
Evan Rocha scored in the third.
The Warriors have very little time to worry about Friday's outcome.
Saturday brings two new chances to top the Sea Beggars, again in Fullerton.
The contests begin at 4 and 7 p.m.
To contact Brandon Petersen, e-mail brandonpetersen@westcliff.edu.