Rustlers Power Past Chaffey, 9–3, at Hoover Field

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - The Golden West College Rustlers Baseball used a balanced offensive attack and dominant pitching to defeat the visiting Chaffey College Panthers, 9–3, Wednesday afternoon at Hoover Field.

Golden West scored in three different innings and limited Chaffey to just one hit on the day, improving to 12–4 overall, while the Panthers fell to 2–15.

After Chaffey took a 1–0 lead in the top of the second inning on a wild pitch, the Rustlers answered immediately. Nick Nashiwa tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Brian Trujillo.

Golden West seized control in the third inning, erupting for four runs to build a 5–1 advantage. Cole Belfanti reached on an error that allowed Zach Fany to score, followed by Nick Salmon driving in a run on a groundout. The inning's biggest swing came moments later when Matt Fox lined a two-run double to left field, plating Trujillo and Jake Despain.

The Rustlers put the game out of reach in the sixth inning with another four-run frame. Max Senesac opened the scoring with an RBI double to left-center, and Nick Salmon capped the rally by crushing a bases-clearing double to the gap, driving in four runs on the day.

Salmon finished 1-for-4 with a double and a game-high four RBIs, while Fox added two RBIs and Senesac collected two hits, including an RBI double. Golden West recorded seven hits, all going for extra bases except one, and played clean defense with no errors.

Golden West's pitching staff was outstanding, striking out 12 batters and allowing just one hit across 9 innings.

Starter Garrett Mirel worked two innings, striking out three, before Dillon Despain earned the win with three strong innings of relief, allowing just one run and striking out four. Travis Maxwell followed with two scoreless innings, and Wyatt Thomas closed the door with a perfect ninth, striking out two.

Chaffey's three runs all came via wild pitches or walks, as Golden West pitchers consistently worked ahead in the count and stranded runners throughout the afternoon.

Golden West will look to carry its momentum forward as the Rustlers are set to host Citrus College on Saturday, February 28th at 1pm.