Royals Falter Late Against Warriors Falling 9-7

Box Score Irvine, CA – The Hope International University baseball team (32-8) continued play at the GSAC Tournament with a 9-7 loss to the Westmont College Warriors at the OC Great Park in Irvine, CA.

Connor Martin got the start pitching 6 innings allowing five runs, three earned on eight hits while walking one and striking out five. Ryan Lachemann (1-1) took the loss in relief pitching 1 1/3 innings allowing four runs on three hits while walking two. David Rivera led the Royals offense going 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs including one home run.

It was the Warriors who opened the scoring in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead. The Royals quickly answered in the bottom half as Alex Moreno came up with a clutch two out RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1. After Martin pitched a scoreless third the Royals offense got right back to work in the bottom of the third. With runners on second and third and one out Matthew Pinal lined a two run single up the middle to put the Royals on top 3-2. The Royals then added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth as David Rivera launched a two run home run to increase the Royals lead to 5-2.

The Warriors continued to battle as they took advantage of an error to score two runs and then pushed across the tying run in the top of the fifth to make it 5-5. That didn't last long though as Robert Mattei doubled to start the inning and JJ Cruz followed by ripping an RBI single into right field to put the Royals back ahead 6-5.

Lachemann then came in from the bullpen and pitched a scoreless seventh but then ran into trouble to start the eighth. The Warriors immediately took advantage as they struck for four runs to take a 9-6 lead. The Royals continued to fight as they got a run back in the bottom half on a two out triple by Rivera to make it 9-7 but that's all they could get as they eventually fell 9-7.

The Royals continue action at the GSAC Tournament as they take on the winner between tonight's Arizona Christian vs The Master's game on Wednesday, May 3 at 10:00 AM at the OC Great Park in Irvine, CA.

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Players Mentioned

#1 David Rivera: INF; 5' 11"; Sophomore; R/R

#16 Robert Mattei: MIF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

#19 Connor Martin: 1B/RHP; 6' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#52 Ryan Lachemann: RHP; 6' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#26 JJ Cruz: INF; 6' 3"; Junior; L/R

#6 Alex Moreno: INF; 5' 10"; Junior; L/R

#4 Matthew Pinal: RHP/INF; 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/R

Players Mentioned

#1 David Rivera
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#16 Robert Mattei
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: MIF

#19 Connor Martin
: 6' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: 1B/RHP

#52 Ryan Lachemann
: 6' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#26 JJ Cruz
: 6' 3"; Junior; L/R
: INF

#6 Alex Moreno
: 5' 10"; Junior; L/R
: INF

#4 Matthew Pinal
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/R
: RHP/INF