Warriors Take Two of Three in Gilbert

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff baseball team backed up its Cal Pac-opening sweep of Providence by taking two out of three at Park in Gilbert, AZ., over the weekend. 

Westcliff took Game 1, 10-6, and Game 2, 8-1 on Friday. 

On Saturday, a crazy back-and-forth contest left the Warriors holding the short end of the stick, 10-9. 

On three different occasions Saturday, the Warriors saw their lead erased, and three costly errors gave the Bucs four unearned runs. 

On the other hand, there were many clutch performances at the plate. 

Eddie Rivero hit two doubles, and single-handedly tied the game at nine in the top of the eighth after swiping third and scoring on a wild pitch. 

Caleb Castanchoa and Keith Hale both had clutch, two-out knocks in the fifth to tie the game at five.

Ulysses Duran went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, the bulk coming on a first-inning three-run jack, and had a ridiculous weekend overall. 

For the series, Duran went  8-for-12 with seven RBIs, seven runs scored, a HR and a pair of walks. 

Hale had a nice series, and Nolan Wasson was his usual productive self. 

Zane Parmenter continued to be a spark from the bottom of the order, serving as a second lead-off type bat from the eight hole. 

Castanchoa (two doubles Saturday) continues to produce in big moments from DH and has become a consistent knock from the middle of the order.

On the mound, Kyle Douphner gave up six hits and four earned through three and a third, not his usual outing. 

The bullpen didn't help the cause, allowing three Park homeruns. 

Friday was a different story. 

Desi Garcia dazzled in Game 2 to pick up his fourth win of the season (no losses). 

The crafty lefty scattered six hits and allowed just one through five and two-thirds. 

Ben Weller was brilliant in relief, allowing just one hit over three and third to pick up the long-distance save. 

Keaton Slack struck out five in Game 1, allowing six hits and four earned through six to pick up the win. 

Slack threw 93 pitches, 62 for strikes.

Eddie Vokes and Colby Weyant (Sv) closed it out. 

The Warriors now stand at 11-9 overall and 5-1 in league play. 

Westcliff returns home next weekend for a series with Antelope Valley.

Doubleheader Friday begins at 11 a.m.

Saturday's contest will be played under the lights.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.