OVER THE HOPE

By Brandon Petersen

They say the third time's the charm.

But, in baseball, where four bases equal a run, the fourth spot bats clean-up, and four wins earns you a World Series crown – the number four is far more charming.

And after three losses to the national champs this season, the Westcliff baseball team saved its best for last on Tax Day in Fullerton, taking down No. 4 Hope in their fourth and final meeting – and in impressive come-from-behind fashion to boot – 9-6.

"This was a huge win for our program – we have never beaten the Royals in program history – and to see the guys compete the way they did, it was by far one of the best team performances we've ever had," Westcliff skipper Dylan Hoffman said. "Hope is the reigning champ and ranked No. 4 in the nation for a reason; it's such a great program led by amazing coaches."

Hoffman would know. He pitched for the Royals the last time they played for an NAIA championship.

His connection to Hope is part of the reason why the Warriors have consistently faced off against the Royals this year.

Those games have stood as seasonal sign-posts, marking Westcliff's progress as the year has unfolded.

Finally capturing a win over such a respected opponent is a fantastic sign.

Despite facing setback after setback in a season that started with great promise, and was seemingly derailed by injuries, the Dubs are not yet out of it, and if the win over Hope proves anything, it's that the rest of the Cal Pac wants no part of the Warriors in North Dakota.

Kyle Douphner took the mound Wednesday and turned in his typical, workmanlike outing, keeping the Dubs in it with five and a third of nine-hit ball with four strikeouts.

Cameron Witte and Tyler Linnel (K) took turns sending down the next four, then Matthew Panzica (W) closed it out with two and a third of one hit ball, allowing one earned and a pair of strikeouts.

"Having Kyle Douphner get the last start of the regular season felt right," Hoffman said. "He has been in this program for as long as I can remember – and he didn't disappoint."

Neither did Tyler Daniels and the Warriors' offense.

Daniels came up clutch for the Warriors in two different spots.

In the seventh, Daniels tied the contest at five apiece when he singled to score Ian Avalos. An inning later, Daniels worked a bases-loaded walk, plating Miguel Espana pushing the Warriors' lead to 7-5.

"One name in particular stands out to me," Hoffman said. "For his hard work, his selflessness – he came up for us in a huge way tonight – that's Tyler Daniels."

After a Nick Malvini single gave the Dubs an early lead, Hope stormed back, evening it in the second and pushing out to a 5-1 lead after a four-run fifth.

But the Dubs clawed back with four of their own in the seventh on a Zane Parmenter RBI single, a couple of fielding errors on the Royals' part, and Daniels' heroics.

In the eight, Amerson Dix plated Malvini with a single down the right field line, and Daniels added on.

Malvini scored Martin Sanchez with a single in the ninth, and Dix made it 9-5, Warriors, with another single that brought Malvini around.

"Being a former Royal, it was a very special win for me," Hoffman said. "I look up to coach Larry (Mahoney) and coach (Kevin) Snapp. We hope to continue a strong level of play each time we see them."

Hoffman said Wednesday's win, which could very well be the Warriors' last of the season, was all about the seniors.

"I can name off a lot of players who made an impact for us," he said. "But really it came down to the seniors stepping up and competing for each other."

The Warriors are not out of the playoff hunt – but they need help.

Basically, it comes down to La Sierra's finish.

Simpson is in, and if the Warriors hope to join them, the Golden Eagles will have to drop at least three of their next five, and Westcliff would then have to win a tiebreaker.

If La Sierra loses four, the Dubs are in.

It may sound like the odds are long, but the good news is, La Sierra faces Simpson for their final four, and Providence for their next two.

Providence took La Sierra to the wire twice and beat the Eagles once – they have a shot.

The Simpson series will be up in the mountains of Redding, as well.

"A lot of motion has to happen," Westcliff SID Chase Dodge said.

But far crazier things have happened.

While the Warriors are watching results closely, they can at least take solace in the fact that they turned in the winningest season in Westcliff history, no matter what happens.

Westcliff won 28 regular season games in 2025.

But stay tuned.

It might not be over just yet.