WU Defeats No. 3 HIU
Westcliff finished its regular season schedule by taking two out of three California Pacific Conference games with La Sierra and then added an exclamation point by defeating No. 3 Hope International 9-6 in a non-conference road contest. The Warriors (9-9 in Cal Pac play) did all they could to reach the postseason, but their fate may be out of their hands due to a pivotal series this week in Redding, Calif. La Sierra visits Simpson for four games - only the first three count in the league standings - which will determine playoff contenders. The Red Hawks (11-4, 17-25) have secured a postseason berth, but the second Cal Pac representative in the North Star Athletic Association championship tournament is still up in the air. The Golden Eagles (8-7, 18-15) need just one win to finish ahead of WU, as they own a tie-breaker advantage. But a sweep of the first three contests by Simpson would vault Westcliff over LSU.
Playoffs or no playoffs, WU produced the winningest season in program history, compiling a 28-20 overall record, highlighted by last Tuesday's victory over HIU, the defending NAIA national champions. The Warriors lost two close games against the Royals on Feb. 15, and then dropped a single game on April 1—marking eight losses in eight meetings between the two teams. But the fourth time was the charm as the Warriors staged an impressive comeback over the final three innings to claim its first victory over HIU.
Trailing 5-1 going into the 7th inning, WU loaded the bases for Zane Parmenter, who singled in a run. A Royal error and wild pitch brought home two more before Tyler Daniels singled in a fourth run that tied the game. The Warriors plated two more in the 8th on an RBI-single off the bat of Amerson Dix and a bases-loaded walk to Daniels. With reliever Matthew Panzica keeping the HIU offense in check, Nick Malvini and Dix added run-scoring singles in the 9th to move in front 9-5.
Dix and Malvini each had three hits for the Warriors, and Martin Sanchez added two hits in three plate appearances.
RECENT RESULTS
Tuesday, April 15
The Master's 9, Providence Christian 3 | Box Score
PCC: 17-22
Westcliff 9, No. 3 Hope International 6 | Box Score
WU: 28-20
Thursday, April 17
LA SIERRA 12, PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN 8 | Box Score
LSU: 8-6, 18-14
PCC: 4-13, 17-23
Friday, April 18
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN 9, LA SIERRA 2 | Box Score
PCC: 5-13, 18-23
LSU: 8-7, 18-15
UPCOMING GAMES
Thursday, April 24
LA SIERRA at SIMPSON (DH)
Friday, April 25
LA SIERRA at SIMPSON (DH)
END OF REGULAR SEASON