samsphotoservices.com

LOS ANGELES — Nolan McCarthy was on his game, Michael Netzel hit the go-ahead home run and everything seemed to be going Oxy's way with a 2-1 lead and two outs in the top of the ninth.

But after an infield single and an error, the Tigers were on the wrong side of a blown call at first and Whitworth rallied for three runs immediately after to beat Oxy 4-2 at Anderson Field on Friday.

It was a bang-bang play on a line drive to second. Preston Chong kocked it down and kept it in front, made a hard throw on the money to first that appeared to beat the runner, but Joe Howell was called safe, extending the inning and the game.

McCarthy had given up just one earned run on a solo home run up to that point and seemed to have regained his All-American form, striking out 11.

In the next at bat, with runners on first and second, Gage Gibson doubled down the right-field line, scoring both runners.

Whitworth, the 2019 Northwest Conference champions, added one more run in the inning to make it 4-2.

Netzel made some solid plays at third base throughout the game and finished the day 3 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI. His homer to center in the seventh put Oxy in front 2-1.

The Tigers scored their first run by taking advantage of a Whitworth overthrow at third in the fifth for the game's first run.

Dawson Warner tied the game with a home run for Whitworth that barely cleared the center field fence in the sixth.

Season Impact: The Tigers fall to 3-4 on the season.

Whitworth improves 6-1 on the year.

Next Game: The Tigers are back in action against Whitworth on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.