WHITTIER — Bryan Smith kept up his hot streak at the plate, Eamon McNeil made clutch plays again and the Occidental baseball team won its second game in a row with some late-inning magic, beating Whittier in their first SCIAC game of the season, 9-8 on Thursday.

Smith went 3 for 5 in the leadoff position in the lineup with two runs scored. In five games, the sophomore is hitting .550 and slugging .609.

Trailing 7-3 in the seventh inning, McNeil got an RBI-single that brought home Smith and initiated a four-run inning that tied the game. 

McNeil finished the game 2 for 5 with an RBI-single and a run scored. Jeff Oki was 2 for 4 with an RBI-double.

Smith scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch and Devon DeRaad followed him home on an error by the Poets' catcher in the top of the eighth, giving Oxy its ninth run.

Oxy starter Will Martel gave up four earned runs in seven innings, earning the victory. Josh Cohen shut the door with 1.1 scoreless innings for the save.

Whittier's Jack Silva was charged with the loss. 

The Tigers rallied to beat Linfield 5-4 in their last game.

Season Impact: The Tigers improve to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in SCIAC play.

Whittier falls to 2-3 and 0-1.

Next Game: Oxy is back in action on Sunday, finishing its three-game series with Whittier with a home doubleheader. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The games were moved from their originally scheduled time on Saturday as a rain plan.