LOS ANGELES — Occidental would take both games of a doubleheader at Anderson Field to win the series against the University of Puget Sound Loggers on Saturday afternoon, mounting a wild 7-run comeback in the series finale.
Oxy secured a 6-4 victory in the first game of the day, bolstered by four doubles and eight walks. The Loggers managed six hits and one home run in the contest.
Puget Sound took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a fielding error and two sacrifice flies. The Tigers responded in the bottom of the inning when
Griffen Rogers singled and later scored on a throwing error, narrowing the gap to 2-1 after the first inning.
Occidental seized the lead in the third inning. Rogers doubled and was brought home by
Thomas Munch's RBI double.
Logan Rooney added another RBI double, pushing Occidental ahead 3-2 through three innings.
In the fourth, Munch delivered again with a two-run double, extending the Tigers' lead to 5-2.
After a Logger homer, Occidental added an insurance run in the seventh inning.
Tyler Kubo walked and scored on Munch's subsequent single, making it 6-3. The Loggers added a run in their half of the seventh, bringing the score to 6-4.
Occidental held Puget Sound scoreless in the final two innings, securing a 6-4 victory.
Aidan Alfers pitched 7 innings for Occidental, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs, with 2 of those runs being earned. He faced 33 batters, striking out 2 while walking 5, and threw a total of 119 pitches, 71 of which were strikes. Alfers also allowed a home run and a double, finishing with a WHIP of 1.57. Despite the challenges, he kept the Loggers from gaining a significant advantage in crucial situations.
Munch recorded four hits, including two doubles, and drove in four runs. Rogers contributed two hits and scored twice, while also pitching two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Antonio Longobardi demonstrated defensive efficiency with six assists at second base.
In game 2, Occidental edged Puget Sound with a wild 16-15 comeback victory. Occidental's offense was highlighted by a seven-run rally in the seventh inning to walk-off the Loggers and take the series.
Puget Sound opened the game with a strong first inning, scoring six runs. Cooper Allen doubled down the left field line for two RBIs, and Lucas Brennan added a two-run homer to left center. Occidental responded in the bottom half with
Tyler Kubo hitting a grand slam to right field, closing the gap to 6-4 after the first inning.
In the fourth inning,
Griffen Rogers was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from
Evann Smith, bringing the score to 9-5 in favor of Puget Sound through four innings.
Occidental added a run in the fifth on a wild pitch that allowed Kubo to score after he doubled and advanced on a wild pitch. Puget Sound scored two runs in the same inning, extending its lead to 11-6.
The sixth inning saw the Tigers rally with three runs. Kubo walked with the bases loaded, bringing home Rogers.
Antonio Longobardi was hit by a pitch, scoring another run, and
Nicholas Gonzalez singled to bring in the third run, narrowing the deficit to 11-9.
In a dramatic seventh inning, Occidental surged ahead with seven runs.
Logan Rooney tripled to right field, clearing the bases and scoring three runs. Kubo followed with his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to center field.
Evann Smith capped the inning with an RBI single. The final score was 16-15.
Evan Landsman came on in relief with 1 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits, one of which was a home run, and issued one walk.
Braden Hill provided some stability with 1 1/3 innings of work, allowing one run on no hits with one strikeout.
Quinn Smith closed the game with 2/3 of an inning, achieving the win without surrendering a hit or run.
Rogers scored three runs and collected three hits, contributing significantly to the offense. Smith added three runs, three hits, and two RBIs, showcasing his ability to drive in runners. Kubo excelled with seven RBIs, three hits, including two home runs, and three runs, demonstrating his power at the plate. Rooney recorded a triple, driving in three RBIs and scoring three times, effectively impacting the game.
Occidental now has a record of 11-4 and will host Curry College for a 3-game set from March 12th-14th after heading to La Mirada for an exhibition against the Biola Eagles.
