SHOVE

By Brandon Petersen

It was a long afternoon for Chapman batters Tuesday in Orange, where Cameron Witte and Jake Barbata combined on a four-hit shutout in a 1-0 Westcliff win.

Witte got the start and was fantastic, throwing six full of three-hit ball with eight strikeouts.

"Witte got the nod today and he did exactly what we needed him to do," Westcliff skipper Dylan Hoffman said. "Seeing him compete today was huge for our staff, and it will only bring even more guys into the loop with confidence.

"The guys are learning how to compete every day and it's been a great thing to witness."

Barbata took over in the seventh with the Warriors clinging to a 1-0 advantage.

Doing the job, and then some, Barbata allowed just a lone knock and sent down four by way of strikes.

Witte threw 81 pitches and 54 for strikes.

Barbata tossed 44 total, 33 for strikes.

"Barbata coming in to shut the door for three innings and earning the save was another highlight," Hoffman said. "Our pitching is finding its groove."

The bats were not quite as clutch Tuesday, as the Dubs stranded 16, making life harder on their hurlers than they had to.

But the Warriors have been a model of offensive consistency thus far, and an off-day can confidently be called an anomaly at this point.

Nevertheless, Hoffman made a point in postgame to address the lack of clutch moments Tuesday.

"We need to work on our execution with guys on base, leaving 16 runners on will make any game difficult to win," he said. "But the guys showed true grit and the let the pitching and defense be the spotlight of our win tonight."

The game's lone run came in the top of the fifth when Miguel Espana worked a bases loaded walk, plating Jack Varney.

Varney had another solid day at the plate finishing 2-for-4 with a double and a walk.

Ian Avalos, Micah Wallette and Zane Parmenter all had knocks.

Both Christian Bartholomew and Patrick Morgan picked up stolen bases.

Weather has already rained out Westcliff's next contest, which was scheduled against No. 2 Hope in Fullerton Friday.

A sunny Saturday will see the Dubs (10-3) and Royals do battle at Amerige Park. The first contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. with a nightcap to follow at four.