LOS ANGELES, CA — Occidental secured a decisive victory in game 1 of a doubleheader, defeating Centenary College of Louisiana with a final score of 28-4 on Saturday at Anderson Field. It's the most runs the Tigers have scored in a game since 2009, when Oxy defeated Whitman 28-3 — nearly 17 years ago to the day — Feb. 8.
Occidental amassed 20 hits, with
Logan Rooney contributing a home run, while the Gents committed five errors in the matchup.
Occidental took an early lead in the first inning when
Antonio Longobardi and
Thomas Munch drew consecutive walks, setting up Rooney's two-RBI single to center, securing a 2-0 advantage. In the second inning, Ben Fitzgerald doubled down the left field line, and
Alejandro Ducreux's RBI single brought him home. Munch added another run with an RBI groundout, expanding the lead to 4-0.
Centenary responded in the third, with an RBI single cutting Occidental's lead to 4-1. However, Occidental answered back decisively, capitalizing on defensive errors with a six-run inning. Fitzgerald's RBI single and Ducreux's reach on error contributed to the scoring, with Munch's two-RBI single capping off the inning, pushing the lead to 10-1.
In the fourth, Rooney extended the lead with a solo home run to center field, making it 11-1.
The Tigers continued to capitalize on Centenary's errors in the sixth, with Fitzgeral's two-RBI single and Smith's bases-loaded walk highlighting a three-run inning for a 15-4 lead. Occidental exploded in the seventh, scoring eight runs, with
Daniel Major driving in two with a single and
Devin Sarkine adding a sacrifice fly. By the end of the seventh, Occidental led 23-4.
Occidental added five more runs in the eighth, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Sarkine and a series of singles, securing a commanding 28-4 victory over Centenary.
Lincoln Lyons started the game for the Tigers, pitching 4 1/3 innings while allowing eight hits and four runs, three of which were earned. Lyons struck out two batters and issued two walks, throwing a total of 82 pitches with 50 strikes.
Ryan Kim took over on the mound, delivering 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief, striking out two while allowing just one walk and one hit batter.
Riley Holcomb contributed an inning of work, giving up one hit and striking out one, while
Jeremy Peddle and Will Myers combined to close out the game, with Peddle striking out one in 2/3 of an inning and Myers retiring the only batter he faced.
Rooney contributed significantly with three runs scored, two hits, and three RBIs, including a home run. Munch added to the team's performance by driving in three runs and securing a stolen base. Major had a strong showing off the bench, scoring two runs and recording two hits along with two RBIs. Fitzgerald was productive at the plate, scoring four runs, collecting three hits, and driving in three runs with a double.
In the second game of the day, the Tigers suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat to Centenary College of Louisiana on Saturday. Despite a strong start, scoring two runs in the second inning, the Tigers' efforts were not enough to secure the win.
In the bottom of the second inning, Occidental took the lead with a two-run homer by Ben Fitzgerald, driving in
Griffen Rogers. This put the Tigers ahead 2-0. Centenary responded in the third when V. Sartor homered to left field, narrowing the margin to 2-1. Occidental added another run in the fourth inning as
Logan Rooney scored on a sacrifice fly by
Ben Rutkin, maintaining a 3-1 lead.
The game took a pivotal turn in the sixth inning when Centenary capitalized on an error and added two runs, moving ahead 4-3. Occidental's defense held strong in the seventh inning as Rogers, moving to the mound, recorded two strikeouts to keep the score unchanged. Despite a late offensive effort, the Tigers were unable to overtake Centenary, resulting in a 4-3 defeat for Occidental.
Jackson Short pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, including two doubles and one home run, while walking one and striking out six. Short threw a total of 87 pitches, 62 of which were strikes, and recorded a WHIP of 1.37.
Braden Hill entered in relief, pitching 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit and striking out one. Both pitchers contributed to containing Centenary's offense, combining for seven strikeouts in the game.
Fitzgerald led the team with a two-run home run, finishing with two RBIs. Rooney contributed with a perfect performance at the plate, recording two hits, including a double, and scoring a run.
Alejandro Ducreux added two hits, one of which was a double, from his lead off at-bats. Rogers helped offensively with a hit and a run, while also striking out two batters in a scoreless inning of relief pitching.
The Tigers are now 2-1 to start the 2026 season, and will be back in action on Saturday, February 14th for a doubleheader against Lewis and Clark at Anderson Field.
