LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 3, 2010) – Heavy winds swirled around Bell Field today, as the Tigers hosted Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletics Conference double header. The only thing stronger than the winds were the Athenas who blew over the Tigers 12-3 (in five innings) in game one and 10-0 (in five innings) in game two.
Things started off good for Oxy in game one; they drew first blood in the bottom of the first, after Alyssa Escalante got on base via a walk and stole second to get things going. With no outs and a runner on second, power hitter, Gabriela Chavez, homered to left field, sending two across home plate and taking the lead early on, 2-0.
But the Tigers lead didn't last long; a run in the second and a grand slam in the third by Harmony Palmer, put CMS on top 5-2. The Athenas offensive onslaught only continued; five more runs in the fourth and back-to-back home runs in the fifth only solidified their lead, 12-2.
With one more shot to put up some points, Oxy rallied in the fifth. Escalante got the momentum going for the Tigers with a single to center field. Next in the box was Chavez, who grounded out to the short stop, but not before Tania Camacho-Pineda (pinch running for Escalante) reached second. Alyssa Smith then did her part, grounding out to the pitcher and allowing Camacho-Pineda to advance to third. With a runner in scoring position, Ashley Noone singled to right field, sending Camacho-Pineda home and tacking on one more for the Black and Orange. But that's all they would do; handing CMS the win, 12-3.
Rebecca Gularte pitched a complete game for the Athenas and knotted the win. Shanna Yackel pitched four innings for the Tigers and was credited with the loss. Chavez led the way for Occidental with a run, a hit and two RBI's.
The Athenas continued their assault in game two. They shut out the Tigers 10-0; scoring four runs a piece in the third and fourth and two in the fifth to close out the game in five innings. With only six hits, the Tigers were unable to get anything going all game and were forced to concede the loss.
Emma Friedenberg pitched four innings for CMS and came away with the win. Brittany Vacura tossed a complete game for the Black and Orange and was handed the loss.
Up next the Tigers, now 6-17 overall and 3-12 in SCIAC play, will host a conference play double header at Bell Field against Pomona-Pitzer College on Friday, April 16 starting 2 PM.
Article By: Savannah Russell, Sports Information Intern
