Santa Barbara, CA - Two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning was the difference as Westmont College defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 6-5 Thursday in Santa Barbara, California. With the loss UBC falls to 3-3 on the season, while the Warriors improve to 8-9.
Tied at 4-4 heading into the eighth inning, UBC scored the go ahead run after
Tyson Popoff drove in
Matt Spillman from second base to put the Thunderbirds in front 5-4. However, in the bottom of the inning pitcher
Matt Thornton got himself into trouble, loading the bases. Steve Pollex stepped up and doubled to right field driving in two runs for the Warriors and putting them ahead for good, 6-5.
Thornton would take the loss pitching an inning and two thirds, giving up two earned runs on two hits, while walking two.
Jeremy Newton got the start for UBC going five innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits.
Tyler Gillies also pitched an inning and a third, but struggled with control walking five and giving up one hit.
Stephen Larson picked up the win for Westmont College. He was one six pitchers on the day for the Warriors. He only needed to pitch two thirds of an inning to earn the victory.
Down 1-0 in the third inning, Popoff and
Jerod Bartnik each had RBI singles to put the Thunderbirds ahead 2-1.Â
The 'Birds extended the lead to 3-1 in the fifth when
Bruce Yari came through with the bases loaded, hitting a clutch single to score one. The Warriors though would score one in the bottom half of the fifth inning and another two in the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead.
Tyler Enns tied the game for UBC in the seventh inning with a RBI single.
Popoff led the Thunderbirds on the day going 3-for-5 at the plate with two doubles and two runs batted in. Enns had a pair of hits as well for UBC.
The Thunderbirds will wrap up their California tour tomorrow morning against Menlo College at 10:00 am.
