NEW HR KING

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff baseball team exploded for 18 runs on 19 hits Tuesday night, rolling past Bethesda 18-5 at OC Great Park in a game highlighted by Patrick Morgan breaking the program's all-time home run record.

Morgan went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in the fifth inning, his 16^th career blast clearing Trey Harmon's record and punctuating a decisive nine-run frame that blew the game open. After the milestone swing, Morgan downplayed the moment, keeping the focus on the team.

"Oh, it's just great to be out here, thankfully, here for another year," Morgan said. "You know, the boys are hot right now. We're going to keep on going."

Morgan sent a Bethesda fastball screaming over the left field fence.

"Yeah, just a fastball," he said. "You know, just trying to put a good swing on it, good barrel, and it just went. So, I'm excited."

Westcliff (5-2) trailed briefly in the early innings before seizing control with a three-run third and a four-run fourth, then burying Bethesda with a nine-run fifth that featured extra-base hits, defensive miscues, and relentless pressure on the bases.

Skipper Dylan Hoffman said the performance reflected the standard the Warriors are trying to establish every time they take the field.

"We're really trying to lean toward understanding that every single game for us is a conference game because we're independent, so everything matters," Hoffman said. "What we did today is an example of what we should be doing all along."

Nick Malvini, coming off his NAIA Player of the Week honor, continued his torrid stretch at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a triple to deep center, a walk, three runs scored, and an RBI. His speed and power combination ignited the lineup throughout the night.

"He made the right adjustment to be great," Hoffman said. "We've always known what we had in him. He overcame a little injury and really just earned the spot back in right field. He's one of the best defensive outfields we have and obviously one of the best bats we have."

The Warriors' offense was balanced from top to bottom. Landon Raskin scored three times and drove in two runs, AJ Quezada collected three RBIs, Ryan Duron homered and drove in two, and Kailen Kimata scored three runs while adding an RBI.

Westcliff finished with 10 different players driving in at least one run.

On the mound, Shunta Furuya earned the win, working five innings on the strength of his notorious slider while allowing three runs on five hits. Southpaw Chris Gonzalez followed with two scoreless innings, striking out four, before hard-throwers Ashton McNaughton and Bill McGee closed the door.

Afterward, Hoffman took the time to reflect on Morgan's broader impact on the program beyond the record-setting swing.

"Right when I saw Patty pretty much as a free agent two years ago, I had to jump on him," Hoffman said. "I know what kind of player he is, the maturity and energy he brings. A lot of players feed off him. It was awesome to see him break the record sooner than later."

Westcliff will look to carry its momentum forward as the Warriors welcome BenU to the Park this weekend.

"We're going to keep the streak going with the hitters rolling," Hoffman said. "When guys are ready, they're going to be called upon.

"It's going to be exciting to watch."