LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 2, 2010) – After giving up an early lead, the Tigers came crawling back within a point but were unable to pull through, allowing Whittier to hold on to game one 7-6 before handing the Black and Orange a tough 9-1 loss (in six innings) in game two of a double header at Bell Field on Friday.
Although the Tigers had a combined 15 hits and seven runs, the Poets almost doubled that, earning them a pair of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference wins; dropping the Tigers to 6-16 overall and 3-11 in conference play.
In game one, the Poets came out swinging, earning them a quick five runs to start the game; but the Tigers did not yield. They responded with a run in the bottom of the first after a pair of errors by Whittier sent Alyssa Escalante across home plate; giving Oxy hope.
The Tigers continued to play flawless defense into the fifth, when Whittier's bats got hot again, sending another three around the diamond; putting their lead at 7-1. But once again, Oxy answered right back. Tasha Serna-Gallegos got things going for the Tigers, reaching first on a fielder's choice and advancing to second on the throw. Next at the plate, Nicole Hannasch singled and advanced to second on the throw; sending Serna-Gallegos to third. With runners in scoring position, Patricia Phillimeano hit a beauty out of the park, sending three into score and putting the Tigers right back in the game, 7-4.
Things remained scoreless into the seventh, until Oxy rallied late in the inning. Escalante and Gabriela Chavez both reached base on balls, bringing Alyssa Smith up to hit. Smith doubled, sending Escalante and Chavez in to score and cutting the lead by one. But that's all the Tigers would do; Smith was picked off at second and Ashley Noone grounded out to the short stop to end the game, 7-6.
Jessica Rosnack came away with the win for the Poets, while Shanna Yackel was tagged with the loss for the Tigers. Escalante, Chavez, Serna-Gallegos, Hannasch and Phillimeano all did their part with a run and a hit a piece for the Black and Orange.
Game two began on the same foot, with Whittier taking an early lead 3-0. The Poets continued their offensive onslaught into the fourth inning when they tagged on two more to put their lead at 5-0.
Oxy's only offensive push came late in the fifth after Escalante sent Serna-Gallegos into score after back-to-back errors and a walk loaded up the bases. But that was the only run the Tigers would collect. The Poets tacked on four more runs in the sixth to end the game, 9-1 (in only six innings).
Heather Dady threw a complete game for the Poets and came away with the win. Brittany Vacura pitched 5.1 innings for the Tigers and was credited with the loss. Gallegos and Escalante lead the Black and Orange with two hits, a run and an RBI between them.
Occidental will be back on the diamond Saturday, April 3, when they host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in a conference play double header beginning at noon on Bell Field.
Article by: Savannah Russell, Sports Information Intern
