YOU SERIOUS?

By Brandon Petersen

So, Christian Bartholomew had a day Friday.

Good lord, did he ever.

How's this sound?

Three hits, three runs scored, a base on balls, a homerun, a double and five RBIs.

Bartholomew's production alone was enough to topple The Master's in Game 1 of a double-dip, 9-1. The Mustangs clapped back in Game 2 with a 7-3 victory.

But a road split with a quality opponent in less-than-ideal conditions on a rainy Friday is a solid overall win for the Warriors (8-3).

"Today was a good test, and we competed every inning," Westcliff head coach Dylan Hoffman said. "We still have work to do, but the puzzle is being put together day by day and having the guys trust the process has been special."

Bartholomew was hardly alone in Game 1.

Both Joseph Guttmann (run scored) and Ian Avalos (three runs scored) had three hits of their own.

Jack Varney, Elijah Guemez, Miguel Espana (RBI) and Zane Parmenter (2B) all went 1-for-4.

Patrick Morgan (RBI) had a double, while Martin Sanchez and Kolby Wagatsuma both knocked in a run.

"These guys fight for each other and it's real awesome to see the culture and chemistry so strong," Hoffman said. "Our pitching was awesome today."

Eddie Rios got the start in Game 1 and turned in another gem, tossing six full of four-hit ball with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Camden Cooper closed out the final three, allowing one earned on six hits.

All told, the Warriors racked up 16 hits in Game 1.

Game 2 didn't go their way, but Westcliff still managed to collect seven hits.

Avalos and Varney had RBIs, Parmenter had three hits, and Guttmann had two.

Justin Guzman got the start and was off his usual game, allowing six earned. Guzman still sent four down by way of strikes.

Cameron Witte collected two outs, both strikeouts.

"It doesn't always go our way, but at the end of the day my coaching staff and I are happy with where we're at, and are ready to execute moving forward," Hoffman said.

The Warriors host Nobel Sunday, weather permitting.