LONG BALL SEASON

By Brandon Petersen

The Westcliff baseball team flexed its power Friday afternoon in Fullerton, launching four home runs in an 11-2 rout of Nobel University.

The Warriors (16-13) pounded out 14 hits and used a big second inning to seize control early before pulling away late with a five-run eighth.

Jack Varney led the charge with a monster day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two home runs and three RBIs. Varney's two-run shot in the second got Westcliff rolling, and he followed it up with a solo blast in the third to extend the lead.

Martin Sanchez added to the early surge with a solo home run of his own in the second, while Patrick Morgan went deep in the fifth as the Warriors' offense continued to apply pressure.

Westcliff broke the game open in the eighth inning. Ian Carr delivered a two-run double, Kailen Kimata followed with an RBI single, and Riley Vogt added an RBI double as part of a five-run frame that put the game out of reach.

Carr finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while Ben Carter added two hits and AJ Quezada scored twice as the Warriors showcased depth throughout the lineup.

On the mound, Cameron Witte earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings while striking out eight. Chris Gonzalez and Daniel Vendl combined to shut down Nobel over the final four innings, holding the hosts to just one hit while striking out five.

Nobel briefly cut into the lead with a two-run second inning, but Westcliff's pitching staff quickly settled in, keeping the Knights off the board the rest of the way.