LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2009) – On opening day for the Occidental softball team, the Tigers battled with the California Lutheran University Regals, but dropped a pair, 5-0 and 8-0 in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

In game one, through six inning both teams were scoreless, but a five-run top of the seventh gave CLU its first SCIAC win of the season, handing the Tigers' their first loss.

Occidental had a few opportunities to push a run across the board, but were not able to do so. In the third, the Tigers left the bases loaded and in the sixth Alyssa Escalante singled before Lindsay Gross pinch ran and advanced to second on a wild pitch before moving over to third on a sac bunt by Alyssa Smith. A two out rally didn't happen and Smith was left at third.

Freshman Shanna Yackel took the mound for the first time of her collegiate career and tossed a complete game. Lizzy Chacon was the winning pitcher for CLU, striking out five Tigers and scattering just two hits, Escalante and centerfielder Olympia Powell who led off the fourth with a single to left center.

Game two wasn't nearly as close as the Regals tagged a trio of Oxy freshman pitchers, for 11 hits as they scored eight uncontested runs, cruising to their second victory of the day in five innings. The loss went to Kimi Elguea who lasted just 2.0 innings in her collegiate debut.

The third inning was when things went sour for the Tigers. CLU scored seven of their runs after sending 13 women to the plate. Katy Bateman and Emily Robertson  each had two hits in the inning.

The Tigers connected for just one hit off CLU starter Talia Ferraria, who was credited with her second win of the season. The hit came by way of third baseman Stephanie Egan who singled to lead off the second before stealing second base. She was stranded as Ferrari struck out the next two batters and forced one of 17 ground ball outs to end the frame.

Also appearing in black and orange for the first time today were left fielder Nicole Hannasch, second baseman Tasha Serna-Gallegos and pitcher/designated player Vanessa Hernandez.

Defensively today the Tigers were pretty solid, with Powell reaching over the centerfield fence to steal a homerun away from CLU to end the sixth inning of the first game, keeping the 0-0 tie intact. Smith had 22 putouts at first base with a couple of stellar picks. Gabriela Chavez had nine assists at shortstop and Serna-Gallegos finished with six putouts and five assists.
Occidental will be back on the field next Saturday, Feb. 21 when they host Hope International for a pair beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Bell Field.