Box Score Photo by samsphotoservices.com
Orange, CA — The Tigers traveled to Hart Park on Saturday morning to play a SCIAC doubleheader against the Chapman Panthers.
The Panthers took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, but the Tigers answered back in the top of the fourth inning. With Nolan Upchurch drawing a walk early in the inning, Jonathan Marshall came up to the plate and swung at a first-pitch fastball, driving it deep to left and into the scoreboard net. The home run was Marshall's seventh in the season, a team-high, and closed the score gap between the teams to make it a 4-2 ballgame.
With another offensive surge by Chapman in the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers found a way to answer and Oxy's offensive momentum continued into the top of the 5th, where Kyle Sugimoto was able to reach base and then scored on an RBI double from Miles Capobianco. Capobianco advanced to 3rd on a groundout to the pitcher, then scored on a groundout to 3rd by Ari Solomon, making the score 8-4.
In the later innings, the Tigers rallied and added to their offensive totals. This drive late in the game shows promis for the young team to get the job done when things get rough. In the top of the seventh, Nicholas Gonzalez singled to center field to bring home Sugimoto and in the top of the 8th, Marshall singled to score Upchurch. The single and home run contributed to Marshall's strong performance, totaling two hits and three RBIs with a run scored on the day.
The Panthers offense found their stride and were able to capitalize on momentum, scoring in each of the last three innings to cushion their lead. In the top of the ninth, the Tigers continued to battle, hoping to turn the game in their favor. Sugimoto kicked things off with a single down the right side. Capobianco's bat connected, but unfortunately flied out to right field. Sugimoto continued to push the momentum by stealing second. Up next was Gonzalez, who's hit down the center was caught by center field. Solomon followed with a ground out to short to end the inning. Despite the final result, the Tigers showed they could put the ball in play to create offensive opportunities. The Panthers win the first game of the doubleheader, 14-6.
