LOS ANGELES — Occidental (7-3, 2-2) secured a decisive 19-5 victory over Caltech (2-11, 0-4) on Friday at Anderson Field. Occidental's offense was relentless, scoring nine runs in the third inning and accumulating six doubles throughout the game. Caltech managed to score in four different innings but was unable to match Occidental's firepower.
The visitors took an early lead in the first inning when hit by pitch the bases loaded brought in a run, making it 1-0 in favor of Caltech.
In the second inning, Occidental responded strongly.
Logan Rooney and
Griffen Rogers both singled, setting the stage for
Ben Rutkin's RBI single that brought home Rooney. A sacrifice fly by
Alejandro Ducreux and a two-RBI single from
Thomas Munch gave Occidental a 4-3 lead.
Occidental's momentum continued in the third inning, starting with walks to
Jackson Short and Rooney. A two-RBI single by Rogers extended the lead, and consecutive wild pitches allowed runners to advance. Rutkin added another RBI single, followed by an RBI double from
Evann Smith, who later scored on Short's single. Rogers capped the 9-run inning with a three-RBI double, bringing the score to 13-3.
The home team added three more runs in the fourth inning. Doubles by Munch and Smith set up an RBI single from Short that increased the tally. The 3rd inning was capped off by 2RBI double from
Griffen Rogers. Rooney's two-RBI double in the 4th inning pushed the lead to 16-3.
After a scoreless fifth inning, Occidental added three more runs in the sixth.
Daniel Major and
Tommy Woods singled before
Antonio Longobardi's RBI single.
Tyler Kubo's two-RBI double concluded the scoring, making it 19-4.
Caltech managed a run in the sixth and another in the seventh, but it wasn't enough to challenge Occidental's commanding lead. The game concluded with a decisive 19-5 victory for Occidental.
Occidental's pitching staff had a varied performance against Caltech.
Michael Myers started, pitching 1 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on two hits and four walks, with two strikeouts.
Antonio Vazquez was effective in relief, throwing 3 2/3 innings and earning the win, yielding just one hit and one walk while striking out three.
Brad Alexander pitched an inning, allowing one earned run on two hits, including a hit batter.
Nathan Goodman concluded the pitching efforts with a brief 1/3 inning appearance, giving up a walk but no hits.
Rogers recorded three hits, including a double, and drove in five runs while also stealing two bases. Rooney contributed with two hits, two RBIs, and scored three runs, drawing two walks. Munch posted two hits, including a double, scored twice, and added two RBIs with two walks. Smith tallied two hits and a double, collected two RBIs, and scored twice.
Occidental has a record of 7-3 and is 2-2 in the conference. Caltech holds a record of 2-11 and is 0-4 in the conference. The series will conclude tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader at Caltech. First pitch will be at 11:00am for the first game and 2:30pm for the second game.
