LOS ANGELES — Occidental College (12-4, 4-2) secured a decisive victory over Curry College (1-3, 0-0) with a final score of 12–2 at Anderson Field on Thursday.
Anthony Sereno contributed to the win with a home run as part of the home team's 13-hit performance.
In the bottom of the second inning,
Tyler Kubo doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Jackson Short's sacrifice fly allowed Kubo to score, giving Occidental a 1-0 lead.
Antonio Longobardi reached on a fielder's choice and scored along with
Anthony Sereno, who homered down the right field line, extending the lead to 3–0.
Curry scored its first run in the top of the third, as Anthony Figueroa singled, advanced to third, and was brought home by Jorge Rodriguez's single, but Occidental maintained a 3–1 lead.
Occidental's offense exploded in the fourth inning.
Thomas Munch singled to shortstop, driving in a run. Smith and
Benjamin Fitzgerald each walked with the bases loaded, adding two more runs. Kubo's single to right field brought in two runs, followed by
Logan Rooney's sacrifice fly, which scored Fitzgerald. Occidental led 9–1 after the fourth inning.
Curry added a run in the sixth inning when Yadiel Santos singled to left field, bringing in Rodriguez after an error.
The final blow came in the seventh inning for Occidental. Smith singled, and Fitzgerald reached on an error. Kubo and Rooney added singles, and Sereno drew a bases-loaded walk.
Griffen Rogers reached on an error, allowing Kubo to score. Occidental's lead expanded to 12–2.
Occidental's offensive prowess, combined with a solid defensive effort, secured the 12–2 victory over Curry.
Occidental's pitching staff delivered a strong performance against Curry, with
Ryan Kim starting and pitching 2 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits while striking out 4 batters. He successfully picked off 2 runners, showcasing effective control over the base paths.
William Myers followed with 3 2/3 innings of relief, yielding just 1 earned run on 3 hits and earning the win, improving his record to 1-0.
Riley Holcomb closed out the game, contributing 1 1/3 innings with no runs allowed, striking out 2 and surrendering only 1 hit.
Munch recorded three hits, including two doubles, and drove in one run. Kubo collected three hits with a double and drove in two runs while also scoring twice. Sereno hit a home run, contributing three RBIs and scoring two runs. Smith drew two walks, scored two runs, and added two hits with one RBI.
Curry and Occidental are back at it tomorrow, Friday March 13th, in Game 2 of the 3-game set. First pitch is set for 2:00pm at Anderson Field.
