By Brandon Petersen
The Westcliff baseball team scored a crucial, walk-off win Saturday at the Great Park, 8-7, over Cal Pac leader Benedictine Mesa.
The game meant nothing in terms of playoff seeding, but it meant everything in terms of psyche and momentum.
Caleb Castanchoa once again provided the clutch knock, scoring Uly Duran in the bottom of the ninth on a slicing single to left. Castanchoa was mobbed in shallow right field, where he tore off his jersey and partied alongside his teammates — a clear message to the guys across the diamond not to crown themselves just yet.
The Warriors will now pack their bags for Arizona knowing they can compete with the best in the nation.
Saturday's win over the NAIA's No. 15 team was Westcliff's first victory over a ranked opponent.
"It feels amazing, man, I love it. I love this team," Castanchoa said. "For senior day, this is the best thing we could have done. Tensions were high all game, all weekend, and to have that happen heading into Arizona — that was the best thing for us."
It appeared as though head coach Dave Shermet and his staff scripted the game's pitching assignments in an effort to preserve arms for the Cal Pac tournament.
Desi Garcia (7 H, 3 ER, 1 K) worked five, before making way to Kyle Douphner (5 H, 1 ER, 1 K), who worked three.
Derek Morris and Colby Weyant (W) finished off the ninth.
Their battery-mate the whole way was Jack Barrios, who finished off senior day with an incredible performance.
Barrios gunned down two steal attempts and picked up an assist on a throw-out at second that he rerouted from an outfield cut-off.
Westcliff's catcher also when 2-for-4 from the dish, including a third-inning double that turned into a run, and a single up the middle to make it 7-5 in the 8th.
"I felt good," Barrios said. "Obviously, emotional. But the mind was on the bigger picture, which is playoffs. We wanted to get one from these guys and let all of the NAIA know that, hey, we can hang with the best.
"They're a good team. I don't think they let up, they wanted to win this one as much as we did, and we came out on top today."
Westcliff battled all the way back from 5-2 in the eighth, scoring five.
Trey Harmon (HBP), Evan Rocha and Keith Hale Jr. all worked RBI free-passes in the inning, and Zane Parmenter gave the Warriors their first lead with a sac fly to center that scored Harmon.
"Having this win turned us all around," Castanchoa said. "Coming into the game, we were a little shook, not really knowing how to feel, so to end on a high note was the greatest thing that could have happened."
Eddie Rivero (2 R, 2 BB) tied the contest at one in the third when he singled to left, scoring Gavin Grinstead, who was running for Barrios.
"We've been close and together through it all," Castanchoa said. "We have each other's backs. Ups and downs. That's what we're supposed to do as brothers. What happened today will only bring us closer together.
"We're happy for the weekend and ready for Arizona on Monday."
Daniel Esqueda (1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB), Duran (1 R) and Parmenter (1 RBI) finished with a knock each.
The Warriors were out-hit 15-8, but it didn't matter, as patience and heady at-bats led to the runs Westcliff needed.
"We want to win the Cal Pac," Castanchoa said. "We want to go to regionals. We want to win it all. We want to head to Idaho.
"We just have to stay together and work hard together. See each other. Pick each other up. It's gonna be a grind, but I think we got it."
The Cal Pac Championships begin Wednesday in Arizona.
The Warriors (23-15 overall, 15-6 Cal Pac) will enter as the No. 2 seed.
"I think everyone in our conference knows that Westcliff is a good team," Barrios said. "We can hit. We have it all. I think this (win) shows maybe those midwest teams, and other teams looking for regionals that, hey, they can beat a Top 12 team in the nation."
The Cal Pac championship will be decided on Friday.
