LOS ANGELES — Occidental (18-7, 5-4) took the weekend series over Whitman (6-16, 2-7) by splitting Saturday's doubleheader with a final score of 6-5 in game one and 7-2 in game two at Anderson Field.
In the first game of the doubleheader Occidental hit three home runs in the game but could not fend off Whitman's late two-run rallies in the eighth and ninth innings.
Whitman took an early lead in the first inning when Wyatt Miyamoto scored on a groundout by Halen Otte, giving it a 1-0 advantage.
In the third inning, Occidental responded with
Thomas Munch hitting a two-run homer to right center, bringing home
Alejandro Ducreux to put Occidental ahead. Whitman tied the game in the fifth inning on a solo homer by Sam Mieszkowski-Lapping. Score: 2-2, after the fifth inning.
Tyler Kubo's solo home run in the sixth inning allowed Occidental to regain the lead. In the eighth inning, Whitman capitalized on a fielding error to score two unearned runs, taking the lead. Occidental's Kubo answered back with another solo home run to right field that evened the score at 4-4 through eight innings.
Whitman secured the win in the ninth inning, with runs scoring on a double by Christopher Nobrega and a single by Nate Petz. Occidental managed to add one more run, but it was not enough to reclaim the lead and the Blues secured a 6-5 victory.
Aidan Alfers pitched 7 2/3 innings for Occidental, allowing four runs on nine hits with three strikeouts against Whitman. He demonstrated control on the mound by issuing only one walk over 112 pitches, 72 of which were strikes. Alfers managed to induce 11 groundouts and eight flyouts. Despite surrendering a home run, he effectively limited additional damage by forcing a double play and maintaining composure with runners on base.
Tyler Kubo showcased his power by hitting two home runs and driving in two runs, contributing two runs himself.
Thomas Munch added to the offensive effort with a home run, collecting two RBIs and scoring once.
Evann Smith was effective at the plate with two hits and an RBI, also executing a sacrifice hit and stealing a base.
In game two of the day and the rubber match of the series, the Tigers secured a decisive 7-2 victory over Whitman, highlighted by a five-run sixth inning that powered it to the win.
Occidental recorded 11 hits and 6 RBIs, while Whitman managed 8 hits and 2 runs.
Occidental took an early lead in the third inning when
Daniel Major singled and subsequently stole second base.
Tyler Kubo's sacrifice fly advanced him to third, and
Thomas Munch delivered an RBI single to right field, bringing Major home. Whitman tied the game in the fourth inning. After Sam Mieszkowski-Lapping was hit by a pitch, Luke Malzewski singled, and Noah Braunel's RBI single allowed Mieszkowski-Lapping to score, leveling the game at 1-1 through four innings.
Whitman took the lead in the fifth inning. Jordan Montemayor tripled down the left field line and scored on a sacrifice fly from Nate Petz, making it 2-1 Whitman. Occidental surged ahead in the sixth inning.
Benjamin Fitzgerald and
Mateo Morales each singled, and
Anthony Sereno's double drove in Fitzgerald.
Nicholas Gonzalez followed with a two-RBI double, scoring Sereno and Morales. A throwing error allowed Gonzalez to score, and Major stole two bases before Kubo's RBI single capped off the inning. Occidental led 6-2 after six innings.
In the seventh inning, Occidental extended its lead. Fitzgerald singled up the middle, driving in
Logan Rooney after back-to-back walks to put the Tigers up 7-2, which would hold as the final score of the game as the pitching staff held the visitors scoreless in the final three innings.
Riley Holcomb led Occidental's pitching effort, throwing 5 1/3 innings with two earned runs and four hits allowed, while striking out two and walking three.
Nathan Goodman contributed 1 1/3 innings in relief, allowing two hits and recording one strikeout, while also picking off a runner.
Malcolm Munnich pitched 1 1/3 innings, coming into the game in the 7th inning to work out of a bases loaded jam with two outs by inducing a ground ball to second base. Munnich would surrender two hits while striking out one, successfully keeping Whitman scoreless.
Antonio Vazquez closed out the game with a perfect inning, striking out one and allowing no hits or walks.
Benjamin Fitzgerald tallied three hits and drove in a run.
Nicholas Gonzalez recorded a double and two RBIs, contributing significantly to the Tigers' scoring.
Daniel Major scored twice and stole three bases, showcasing his speed on the field.
Anthony Sereno added a double and an RBI, providing solid support to the Tigers' offense.
With the series win, Occidental has a record of 18-7 and is 5-4 conference. The Blues hold a record of 6-16 and are 2-7 in their conference. The Tigers are back in action as they return to SCIAC play in a three-game series versus Chapman that will begin on Friday, April 3rd at Anderson Field and conclude with a doubleheader in Orange, CA on April 4th.
