DURON DURON

By Brandon Petersen

Whenever a hitter looks completely locked in — seeing pitches early, barreling everything and refusing to give away at-bats — it tends to feel inevitable.

On Saturday at Rio Hondo College, Ryan Duron made it feel that way.

Returning to his former home field, Duron delivered the most complete offensive performance of his Westcliff career, helping power the Warriors to a 10–6 victory over Ben U in Game 2 and a split of the doubleheader.

The win also marked head coach Dylan Hoffman's 57th career victory at Westcliff, making him the program's all-time winningest manager.

Duron finished the second game 3-for-4 and was a constant presence on the bases, setting the tone for an offense that continued to apply pressure inning after inning.

"He was a Rio Hondo alumni, so having him be here and seeing him hit like that — I mean, his batting average doesn't really show what he's doing for this team right now," Hoffman said. "When he's going like that, it's something special for us."

The Warriors trailed early after Benedictine Mesa struck first, but the response was immediate. Westcliff tied the game in the second inning and then erupted for three runs in the third to seize momentum.

Alex Chacon sparked the rally with an RBI double before Ian Carr (who pulled off a diamond-gem sliding grab in right field) delivered a go-ahead single that energized the dugout.

The fourth inning showcased the depth Hoffman built in the offseason throughout the afternoon.

Jack Varney — trusted in a high-leverage spot — delivered a two-run single that stretched the lead and underscored the balance throughout the lineup.

"It's never about giving up on anyone," Hoffman said. "It's about trusting every guy here. When it's their time to shine, they make it count. That's depth."

That theme surfaced again in the sixth inning when Nick Malvini delivered one of the game's defining moments. His two-run double to the corner in right capped a four-run frame that turned a competitive matchup into a multi-run cushion.

Hoffman credited Malvini's growth and experience as key factors in his development.

"All he's done is improve every year," Hoffman said. "If he stays on this track and keeps the same mindset, he's going to have one of the best seasons in Westcliff history."

While the offense carried the spotlight, Slater Theisen delivered a performance on the bump that could signal a turning point for the pitching staff.

Making his first collegiate start amid injuries within the rotation, Theisen worked 6.2 innings to earn his first career victory.

"Slater came in big when we needed him," Hoffman said. "He's like the Energizer Bunny — always ready to go, always giving everything he has."

Theisen battled through early pressure and limited damage long enough for the offense to build separation. Even after Benedictine Mesa mounted a late ninth-inning push, the Warriors maintained control and closed out the win behind the arm of Riley Vogt.

Westcliff's approach reflected a team that continues to evolve and grow more comfortable in high-pressure situations.

Despite earlier struggles against strong opponents, the Warriors showed resilience throughout the series — responding to adversity with aggressive offense and timely execution.

"We didn't let our mishaps put us in a blender," Hoffman said. "The guys came out ready to attack, and you can feel that we're coming together."

With contributions throughout the lineup — including RBI hits from Chacon, Carr, Varney, AJ Quezada and Kailen Kimata — Westcliff showcased the balanced attack Hoffman believes will define the team moving forward.

Up next, the Dubs (7-4) travel to Orange for a meeting with Chapman Tuesday.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Game 1 — Benedictine Mesa 5, Westcliff 3

The Warriors dropped the opener despite several strong individual performances.

Duron continued his standout day with a home run and multiple hits, while Patrick Morgan added an RBI single.

Westcliff kept the game within reach throughout, but a three-run homer by Benedictine Mesa in the sixth inning created separation that proved difficult to overcome.

Boston Souza pitched six innings before Shunta Furuya closed out the final three frames in relief.