LOCKDOWN

By Brandon Petersen

Madison Mendez delivered a performance worthy of the moment.

Facing No. 10-ranked Oregon Tech in tournament play Thursday afternoon at Simpson, the Warriors' ace went the distance, scattering just four hits across seven innings as Westcliff secured a statement 2-1 victory over a nationally ranked opponent at Redding Sports Park.

Mendez worked through traffic early but settled into a rhythm that saw her stack zero after zero against one of the NAIA's most dangerous lineups.

The right-hander allowed just one run while issuing four walks, limiting hard contact and consistently working ahead in counts to keep Oregon Tech off balance.

Westcliff gave its pitcher immediate support in the opening inning. Alyssa Patlan reached base and eventually crossed the plate on an RBI single from Mendez, setting the tone for a tightly contested matchup that quickly turned into a pitcher's duel.

Oregon Tech answered with a run in the second inning, but the Warriors regained the lead in the third when Patlan again sparked the offense, advancing aggressively and scoring on a defensive miscue to give Westcliff a 2-1 advantage.

From there, Mendez took over.

The Warriors' defense played clean behind her, committing no errors while turning away every late push from the Owls. Oregon Tech managed only four hits on the day and failed to generate sustained pressure as Mendez navigated the lineup with composure and efficiency.

Offensively, Patlan led the charge at the top of the order, finishing 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Rachel Varela added two hits. Though runs were at a premium, Westcliff capitalized on key moments and made the early lead hold up.

The victory marks one of the Warriors' biggest wins of the early season, showcasing their ability to match up with and defeat nationally ranked competition through disciplined pitching and timely execution.

Warriors open tournament with win over Simpson

Westcliff opened the day with a 10-5 victory over host Simpson, using a five-run second inning to build an early cushion and control the game throughout.

The Warriors recorded 12 hits in the contest, led by Madison Mendez's three-hit performance and three hits from Sara Ellerton. Rachel Varela drove in three runs, while Alyssa Patlan added two RBIs to pace the offense.

After Simpson battled back to cut the deficit to one run in the fourth inning, Westcliff responded with a four-run sixth to pull away and secure the win. Cecelia Hogel earned the victory in relief, tossing four innings while limiting further damage.

The Warriors will take on Corban, and meet Oregon Tech once again, in another doubleheader Friday.