PASADENA, Calif. — Occidental College defeated the California Institute of Technology in both games of Saturday's doubleheader to complete the 3-game series sweep.
In game one, the Tigers had an impressive offensive outburst with a 17-1 victory at Caltech North Field. Occidental's offense totaled 14 RBIs on 13 hits, including three doubles and a triple, capitalizing on 10 walks issued by Caltech pitching.
Occidental opened the scoring in the fourth inning.
Evann Smith singled to center field, followed by
Griffen Rogers' bunt single.
Tyler Kubo delivered a two-RBI double to right center, bringing home Smith and Rogers. The Tigers led 2-0 after four innings.
In the fifth inning, Rogers tripled down the right-field line, allowing Smith to score and extending Occidental's lead to 3-1 after Caltech scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly.
The sixth inning saw the Tigers widen the gap.
Jackson Short singled, and Kubo walked.
Alejandro Ducreux's single loaded the bases.
Antonio Longobardi walked to bring in one run, and
Thomas Munch walked to score another. Smith's sacrifice fly added a third run. Munch later scored on a passed ball, and Rogers' RBI single capped a five-run inning. Occidental led 8-1 through six innings.
Occidental's offense erupted in the seventh inning, scoring nine runs. Short doubled, followed by singles from Ducreux and Kubo. Munch's double brought in two runs. After a fielding error, walks, and a hit-by-pitch, Occidental continued to capitalize on errors and fielder's choices, scoring multiple unearned runs. The inning ended with the Tigers firmly in control, leading 17-1, which would hold as the final score.
Aidan Alfers delivered an impressive performance on the mound, pitching a complete game with 7 innings and allowing only 1 hit. He struck out 3 batters while issuing 2 walks and hitting 1 batter. Alfers faced 24 batters in total, and did not allow any earned runs. His efficient outing was highlighted by 57 strikes thrown out of 90 pitches, leading to his second win of the season.
Thomas Munch recorded three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs while scoring twice. Rogers registered three hits with a triple, collecting three RBIs and adding two runs.
Jackson Short finished with three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs while crossing the plate three times.
In game two, the Tigers secured a 9-7 victory. Occidental's offense was highlighted by two clutch home runs late in the game, contributing to its nine hits and seven RBIs in the game.
Oxy trailed 3-0 early on in the game, but the Tiger bats broke through in the fifth inning, scoring four runs.
Benjamin Fitzgerald singled and advanced on a walk and hit-by-pitch.
Antonio Longobardi and
Thomas Munch each contributed RBI singles, and sacrifice flies from
Evann Smith and
Griffen Rogers brought the score to 4-3 in favor of the Tigers.
Caltech responded in the sixth with three runs, including an RBI triple and a two-RBI double, regaining a 6-5 advantage.
Occidental tied the game in the seventh inning. After a walk and a fielding error put runners in position,
Logan Rooney reached on an error, allowing two unearned runs to score, making it 7-7.
In the ninth inning, with the score still tied, the Tigers took the decisive lead with solo home runs to center field by
Thomas Munch and
Logan Rooney, securing a 9-7 victory. Caltech threatened in the bottom half of the 9th, but
Griffen Rogers picked up a timely strikeout followed by a ground out to prevent any damage and secure the win.
Lincoln Lyons started for Occidental, pitching 5 innings and allowing 4 hits and 1 earned run. Lyons recorded 4 strikeouts while issuing only 1 walk and 2 hit batters. The sophomore pitcher threw 87 pitches, with 52 strikes. Munch delivered a strong performance, hitting the go-ahead home run and driving in two runs while also scoring once. Fitzgerald showcased consistency at the plate, collecting three hits and scoring one run. Longobardi played a key role, adding two runs, one hit, and one RBI to the team's efforts.
Occidental now has a record of 9-3 and 4-2 in the SCIAC. Their next matchup will come against the University of Puget Sound on Friday, March 6th at Anderson Field. First pitch is set for 2:30pm.
