LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Occidental College secured a narrow 5-4 victory over Whittier College in game one and lost game two by a score of 12-0 at Anderson Field on Saturday, ultimately spliting the day's doubleheader.
In game one, the Tigers' offense capitalized on Whittier's three errors, scoring the decisive run in the ninth inning.
Whittier took an early lead in the first inning when Parker Eastwood-Lilles singled through the right side, and a subsequent throwing error allowed Rayden Miguel to score. The frame ended with Whittier ahead 1-0.
Occidental responded in the bottom of the second inning.
Griffen Rogers singled to center field, followed by
Logan Rooney's single to shortstop.
Tyler Kubo's bunt single loaded the bases.
Anthony Sereno hit into a fielder's choice, allowing Rogers to score. A sacrifice fly from
Ben Rutkin brought in Rooney, putting the Tigers up 2-1.
In the sixth inning, Occidental extended its lead. Kubo singled and advanced on an error.
Nicholas Gonzalez doubled to right center, scoring Sereno to make it 3-1.
Whittier regained the lead in the seventh inning with a three-run homer by Alex Jasso, putting them ahead 4-3.
Occidental tied the game in the eighth inning. Sereno singled and advanced on a groundout. Gonzalez followed with a single, driving in Sereno to level the score at 4-4.
In the ninth inning, Rogers singled and advanced to third on a throwing error. Kubo's sacrifice fly allowed Rogers to score the decisive run. Occidental secured the win with a final score of 5-4.
Occidental's pitching staff was led by
Riley Holcomb, who delivered a strong performance by pitching 8 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits while striking out 2 batters. Holcomb showed control with just 1 walk and threw 65 strikes out of 97 pitches. Rogers contributed with 1 inning of relief, permitting 1 hit and striking out 1 in his brief appearance. Rogers needed only 12 pitches, 7 of which were strikes, to complete his inning.
Rogers scored two runs and stole two bases, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Gonzalez collected two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs, enhancing the scoring. Sereno crossed the plate twice and recorded an RBI, providing key moments in the lineup. Kubo added two hits and an RBI, contributing to the team's overall success at the plate.
In game two, Occidental managed only one hit and one walk, while Whittier's offense capitalized on two home runs to secure the victory.
Whittier's offense surged in the first inning, scoring nine runs. Rayden Miguel singled and later scored on Joe Plaskett's sacrifice fly. Matthew Mecate and Alex Jasso reached base, with Jasso scoring on a fielding error. Aidan Cardoza and Parker Eastwood-Lilles were hit by pitches, bringing in another run. Collin O'Driscoll's single drove in two more. Warren Canciller's single extended the lead, and subsequent plays, including a wild pitch and a hit by Rayden Miguel, added to the scoring. The inning concluded with Whittier leading 9-0.
In the second inning, Whittier added a solo home run from Parker Eastwood-Lilles, increasing its lead to 10-0.
Whittier's Joe Plaskett hit a solo home run in the sixth, pushing the score to 11-0.
In the seventh inning, Whittier capitalized on a throwing error, allowing Coehn Nakasone to score an unearned run, bringing the advantage to 12-0.
Occidental was unable to score throughout the game, resulting in a 12-0 final score in favor of Whittier.
Michael Myers faced difficulty on the mound, allowing five runs on one hit with one walk and two hit batters over just 1/3 inning, throwing 20 pitches with 11 strikes.
Malcolm Munnich was unable to record an out, surrendering four runs on two hits and one walk, with one hit batter and one wild pitch in his brief appearance.
Antonio Vazquez provided some stability, pitching 1 1/3 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits, including a home run, and two walks.
Nathan Goodman delivered the most effective outing, pitching 3 1/3 innings without allowing a run, giving up just two hits, and throwing 27 strikes out of 32 pitches.
Andy Franck collected one hit in his appearance, contributing to Occidental's offense.
Nathan Goodman pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed two hits, maintaining control on the mound with 27 strikes out of 32 pitches.
Antonio Vazquez faced a challenging outing, conceding two hits and one home run over 1 1/3 innings.
Occidental holds a record of 20-17 and is 8-13 in the conference. Whittier has a 17-20 record with a 10-14 mark in conference play. The Tigers wrap up the regular season next weekend against Pomona-Pizter, with Senior Day scheduled for Friday, April 30th.
