When looking at the box score, the Warriors runs might stand out, but pitcher Luke Steward set the tone on the defensive end on Warrior Field on March 8.
Steward only allowed three hits through six innings, and didn’t allow any runs while on the mound.
Steward felt very comfortable on the mound when facing the Rio Hondo College Roadrunners throughout the game.
“All my pitches were working, two pitches for strikes, defense picking me up in times that I needed it, and executed pitches,” Steward said.
Nothing could go wrong for the Warriors in their lopsided 16-1 victory over the Roadrunners.
Warriors coach Grant Palmer set up a successful game plan that led the team to a flawless victory. Palmer credited his team for their offensive performance.
“We got hits today … I just thought it was good quality at-bats, for really eight straight innings,” Palmer said.
Palmer said that the Warriors all-around play is the key factor for them stringing wins together in the past few games.
“We’re just playing a little bit cleaner baseball. Pitchers have been really good in the zone. Our defense has really kind of shored up a little bit, which has kind of helped us,” Palmer said.
The Warriors offense has also proved successful.
“And then really the offense I thought, the last four games probably, just been a little bit more consistent with the at-bats. I thought that’s been the separator,” Palmer said.
Outfielder Matt Hammond put the finishing touches on the game hitting a bomb to right field for a two-run homer.
“Just trying to stay middle, not trying to do too much. Staying short, because I got long when a slow pitch comes,” Hammond said.
Hammond commended the Warriors’ hitting as the main reason for them adding another game in the win column.
“Just keep hitting, getting people on, taking doses, that is how we win,” Hammond said.
As for the Roadrunners, coach Mike Salazar pointed out their hitting as the main reason for the disappointing results Saturday.
“If you don’t score runs, you can’t win. Last time I checked, if you didn’t score no runs, you lose the game,” Salazar said.
Salazar said that in order for his group to bounce back, they need to have a short memory and not dwell on the past.
Dominic Elias was the starting pitcher for the Roadrunners, allowing seven hits and seven runs in the two innings he pitched.
Elias blamed his performance more on his struggles, rather than on the Warriors’ hitting ability.
Elias feels that his team needs more consistency to improve.
“Consistency in everything, on both sides of the ball,” Elias said.
Improving on the season with a record of (13-7) the Warriors’ next game will be on the road against LA Harbor (5-13) on March 11.
