When freshman pitcher Kellen Moen and the baseball team took the field on Tuesday against Los Angeles City, the players knew that they had to take care of business.
With two huge games coming up after Tuesday’s home game against L.A City 7-27, 3-16, and with the first place Cerritos Falcons on Saturday and Tueday, EC had to focus and try to not look past the last place Cubs.
“We preach from the beginning that every game means the same in conference,” coach Nate Fernley said. “You have to win the game you’re in.”
The Warriors, 25-12, 14-5, did just that in their 4-1, pitchers’ duel Tuesday. EC and the Cubs were able to obtain six hits each during the game, four of which became the game winning runs for the Warriors.
Moen led the way with a strong performance on the mound compiling 11 strikeouts during eight innings, while surrendering no runs and just two walks.
“I felt good, I was getting ahead with the fastball then throwing the split and they were swinging right over it,” Moen said. “They were chasing my pitch and I didn’t have to come to them.”
Behind Moen’s strong performance, the Warriors managed a run in the second inning off a single from designated hitter Beau Hopps scoring first baseman Ramon Marquez.
They then added three runs in the sixth inning in the game at Warrior field, which saw the Cubs as the home team due to stipulations with their own home field.
After being the designated hitter during the game, Hopps came in to pitch for Moen and close out the ninth inning. After surrendering a run to the Cubs, Hopps settled down to strike out the side.
“Toward the end of the game, you’ve got to switch over and get ready to pitch,” Hopps said. “I did it in high school, so I’ve had some experience with it in the past.”
EC will need that same effort next week if they hope to beat Cerritos.
The Warriors are aware that they need to win their final five games of the season to win the conference title. That includes two wins against Cerritos, two against Compton, including a win during today’s home game against L.A City.
“Our chances in the conference are pretty good,” Hopps said. “If we manage to beat Cerritos we still haven’t won anything yet; we have to take care of business against Compton.”
Even without winning first place in the conference, the Warriors have a strong possibility of getting the second spot in the conference ranking and making the playoffs for a second consequetive year.
“I believe we still have a real good chance at getting at least second,” said Marquez. “Hopefully we shoot for first and everything goes well; if we keep playing good baseball we should be fine.”
