Avalos Homers Twice, But Dubs Drop Two to No. 11 Hope
It wasn’t pretty Friday in Fullerton, where the Westcliff baseball team met NAIA No. 11 Hope International at Amerige Park to open the 2024 season. The Royals took home two wins, 20-5 in the opener, and 13-6 in the nightcap. Although the outcome was disappointing, there were a number of bright spots for first-year head coach Dylan Hoffman and the Warriors. Perhaps brightest was the output from new cleanup hitter, 3B Ian Avalos, who hit a pair of solo shots, one in each contest.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | X | 20 | 14 | 2 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 2 |
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0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | X | 13 | 13 | 1 |
By Brandon Petersen
It wasn't pretty Friday in Fullerton, where the Westcliff baseball team met NAIA No. 11 Hope International at Amerige Park to open the 2024 season.
The Royals took home two wins, 20-5 in the opener, and 13-6 in the nightcap.
Although the outcome was disappointing, there were a number of bright spots for first-year head coach Dylan Hoffman and the Warriors.
Perhaps brightest was the output from new cleanup hitter, 3B Ian Avalos, who hit a pair of solo shots, one in each contest.
Avalos finished Friday going 3-for-9 with three RBI and two runs scored.
The other bright spot was the start of Eddie Rios in Game 1.
Although Rios (3.2 innings) was pulled in the fourth after allowing a sixth run, he only allowed three earned and struck out eight in his debut.
Kyle Douphner also surrendered six runs, striking out three in four complete.
Eddie Rivero hit an RBI double and an RBI single in Game 2, and Caleb Castanchoa drove in two as well, first on a sac fly, then on a bases-loaded single in the eighth.
In Game 1, Zane Parmenter scored Quinton Knight on a double in the sixth. Drew Barrett scored Miguel España on a single to center in the ninth.
Last year, the Warriors got off to a rocky start playing nationally-ranked teams.
That didn't stop Westcliff from turning the corner after six straight losses and going on to compile the program's winningest season and first postseason win.
The Warriors have a chance to change the narrative quickly with a doubleheader Saturday.
Cal Tech visits Westcliff at Long Beach City College, the Warriors' on-and-off home during the 2024 season.
First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Hoffman has yet to announce starters.
To contact Brandon Petersen, e-mail brandonpetersen@westcliff.edu.