LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2008) –
Eighteen hits and ten runs were not enough to overcome errors and
runners left on base today as the Tigers dropped an 11-10 decision
to Whitman College at Anderson Field in the finale of a three game
series.
As they did yesterday the Missionaries took an
early lead with a run in the top of the first. Occidental quickly
go ahead when senior centerfielder Matt Andersen
connected for a two-run first inning homerun.
Oxy added a pair in both the second and third
innings before Richard Vehil led off the fifth
with a solo shot to center field, putting the Tigers up 7-1.
Six strong innings from freshman Ross
Pomerantz was wasted as things went sour for the Tigers in
the seventh. Three Tigers pitchers combined to allow seven runs on
three hits, four walks and three errors as the Missionaries sent 12
men to the plate.
Oxy battled back, scoring two runs in the
bottom part of the inning, taking a 9-8 lead.
Whitman continued the assault in the top of
the eighth, adding three more runs on back-to-back doubles after
the first two batters singled and advanced on Oxy errors.
Spencer Woolwine came in from left field,
recording the final two outs of the eighth.
In the bottom of the eighth Case
Miyahira and Patrick Sarkissian drew
walks before Andersen hit a sac fly to center, scoring Miyahira
from third.
Woolwine took the hill again in the ninth,
keeping WC off the board, sitting two batters down on strikes.
A late Oxy rally fell short as Vehil was
stranded on third following a single and stolen base to lead off
the inning.
Occidental left 19 men on base, which proved
costly in the end. The offense was led again by Andersen who was
3-5, a triple away from a cycle, with five RBIs and three runs.
Miyahira and Vehil combined for six hits. Woolwine, Franks and
junior transfer Ryan Falck each singled twice.
Falck also drew two walks, was hit by a pitch and scored twice.
Whitman's 11 runs came on 12 hits with
two from Luke Marshall, Erik Korsmo and Michael Lazcano.
Defensively both teams struggled, committing
five errors apiece.
Pomerantz scattered five hits over six,
allowing one earned run, walking four in his Oxy debut. Woolwine
faced just six batters, recording three Ks.
The Tigers fall to 1-2 on the young season
while the Missionaries return to Washington with a 2-1 season
record.
Oxy will take the field again on Sunday, Feb.
17 when they host the Pioneers of Lewis and Clark (OR) for a
doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m. on Anderson Field.
