Los Angeles, CA – In a courageous effort to rebound from a series-opening loss, the Occidental Tigers returned home to face the Whittier Poets in a doubleheader showdown. While the Poets emerged victorious in both games, the Tigers' tenacity and offensive skill shone through, offering glimpses of their potential for future success.
Game 1: 5-2 Whittier
Determined to reverse their fortunes, the Tigers surged ahead early in game one, seizing control with a dynamic offensive display in the second inning. Evelyn Lorch's clutch double to right center ignited the home crowd as Alysha Wagner and Kaitlyn Suarez crossed the plate, propelling Oxy to an early 2-0 lead.
However, the Poets refused to back down, mounting a relentless comeback effort highlighted by well-executed sacrifice flies from Maya Palos and Lindsey Perry, knotting the score 2-2. With the game hanging in the balance, both squids entered extra innings, vying for supremacy.
Despite the Tigers' best efforts, Whittier capitalized on crucial opportunities in the eighth inning, notching three decisive runs to clinch a hard-fought victory.
Lorch's standout performance at the plat, going 3-4, underscored the Tigers' offensive resilience, while Ellery Mitchell's steady presence on the mound, backed by two strikeouts over eight innings, highlighted the team's unwavering resolve.
Game 2: 11-3 Whittier
As the second game of the day unfolded, the Tigers wasted no time asserting their offensive prowess, seizing an early lead again behind Lorch's towering homer to center field, igniting the hopes of a comeback. However, the Poets swiftly countered, unleashing a barrage of runs, leaving Oxy trailing 6-2.
Undeterred by the deficit, Oxy rallied in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Whittier to narrow the gap, with Isabella Harding's ability to put the ball in motion and Sophia Sui's aggressive baserunning, resulting in a crucial run. Yet, despite their resilience, Oxy ultimately succumbed to Whittier's relentless offensive advance, falling 11-3.
