LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Occidental College (5-3, 1-1) faced Claremont-M-S (3-2, 1-1) in a doubleheader, with a tough defeat in the first game followed by a decisive victory in the second. In the first game, Occidental suffered a 13-4 loss despite recording 17 hits. The Stags secured the victory with four home runs and a strong start, scoring five runs in the first inning.
The Stags struck early in the first inning with a pair of two-run homers. Occidental managed three hits but was unable to score, ending the inning trailing 5-0 - a theme of the game as the Tigers outhit the Stags 17-12. In the fourth inning, the Stags added another two-run shot, extending their lead to 7-0. The Tigers had three hits but remained scoreless through the inning.
Occidental got on the board in the sixth inning.
Antonio Longobardi singled up the middle, driving in two runs to cut the deficit to 11-2 after Claremont-M-S added three runs in the top half of the inning. The Tigers continued to fight back in the seventh inning. Ben Fitzgerald scored on an error, followed by
Logan Rooney's sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 11-4. CMS added another run in the eighth inning on a wild pitch, while Occidental was held scoreless, making it 12-4.
In the ninth inning, Claremont-M-S extended their lead with a solo homer. Occidental's offense was unable to respond, concluding the game with a final score of 13-4 in favor of the Stags.
Evann Smith led the team with three hits, including a double, contributing significantly to the overall offense.
Griffen Rogers added three hits and scored a run while also stealing a base. Longobardi drove in two runs with a key hit in a bases-loaded situation and recorded seven assists in the field. Rooney collected three hits and an RBI while scoring a run. While the bats were hot, the timely hitting kept the Tigers' off the scoreboard.
In the second game, Occidental secured a 10-3 victory. The Tigers' offense was powered by three home runs, contributing to a five-run second inning and another five-run burst in the eighth. Occidental took control early, scoring five runs in the second inning.
Griffen Rogers singled to center field, setting the stage for
Logan Rooney's two-run homer to left field. Later in the inning,
Thomas Munch hit a three-run homer, bringing in
Antonio Longobardi and
Alejandro Ducreux. Occidental led 5-0 after two innings.
In the sixth inning, Claremont-M-S closed the gap with three runs, making it 5-3 through six innings. Occidental solidified its lead in the eighth inning. Rooney was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single by Munch.
Evann Smith was then hit by a pitch, scoring Rooney.
Tyler Kubo followed with a grand slam to center field, extending the lead to 10-3. Occidental maintained its lead, winning 10-3.
L. Lyons pitched 6 innings for the Tigers, allowing 5 hits and 3 earned runs while facing 25 batters. He issued 2 walks and threw 89 pitches, with 55 of them being strikes. Lyons maintained a WHIP of 1.17 and did not record any strikeouts but managed to keep the Stags scoreless in five of the six innings. Munch led the team with two hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs. Kubo made a strong impact with a grand slam, driving in four runs in his only at-bat. Rogers contributed significantly with four hits and added two stolen bases. Rooney added a home run and two RBIs while also scoring twice.
Overall, Occidental has a record of 5-3 and is 1-1 in conference play, while Claremont-M-S holds a record of 3-2 and also stands 1-1 in the conference.
