O'Neil Twirls Gem as Warriors Win Series Opener against Rio Hondo

TORRANCE, Calif. - Freshman Cameron O'neil earned his fourth win of the season as he tossed an 8 inning gem again Rio Hondo as the Warriors defeated the Roadrunners 3-1 in the series opener. 

O'neil pitched 8 innings and allowed just one run on six hits, zero walks, and struck out five batters. Slater Nunez slammed the door in the 9th inning to pick up his fourth save of the season. Matthew Leyva got the loss for Rio Hondo despite throwing seven innings and allowing just three runs on five hits, two walks, and struck out nine batters.

The Warriors loaded the bases in the first inning with one out after a hit by pitch and base knocks from Lucas Bonham and Matt Hammond.

Gil Solis walked to bring in the first run of the game and Slater Nunez followed with a base hit to make it 2-0 for the Warriors.

The Roadrunners got one run back in the 5th inning. Marcus Hernandez led the inning off with a base hit and eventually came around to score on a knock from Dylan Slater up the middle.

The Warriors added one insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Dylan Mares smacked his first home run of the season over the RF porch to make it a 3-1 game.

The Roadrunners threatened in the eighth inning after getting runners on 1st and 2nd with one out in the inning but O'Neil struck out a pinch hitter for the second out and got a flyout to centerfield to end the thread from Rio Hondo.

The Warriors will head to Whitter on Thursday to take on Rio Hondo for Game 2 of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.