LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Whittier College baseball team after suffering a disappointing loss in game one 8-1 bounced back in game two to earn a hard fought 12-10 victory in 13 innings Saturday to take the series against Occidental College.
Whittier remains in first place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) standings at 16-9, 12-3 SCIAC, while Oxy dropped to 12-14, 8-7 SCIAC.
Game 1 (L, 8-1)
The Tigers got after Poet starter Curtis Martin who lasted 5.0 innings giving up three runs on seven hits dropping to 5-2 on the season. Oxy led 3-0 after five innings before Whittier brought their only run across in the top of the sixth thanks to a solo shot from Corey Jensen down the right field line.
Oxy would add another four runs in the bottom of the inning on two hits for insurance as Margol threw an 8.0 inning gem for the Tigers giving up a mere three hits, while striking out nine.
Jensen finished 2-4 with a run and RBI, while junior Stephen Zavala picked up the other lone hit.
Game 2 (W, 12-10 – 13 Innings)
In game two the Poets combined for 12 runs on 16 hits, a season high. They jumped out in front in the first thanks to a two run shot from Julian Barzilli but they gave it up in the bottom of the inning after Munoz doubled in Strain.
Oxy would add another in the second before the Purple & Gold would come back in the third to add another two behind Barzilli's second two run blast of the game.
Whittier would add to their lead in the fifth with another three runs capped off with aBen Cerami single down the right field line that plated Barzilli and Jensen.
Barzilli would reach on a fielding error in the sixth that allowed Graham Pimm to score moving the score to 8-3 but over the next three innings Oxy would add five, which included a pair in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a two run shot from Smith that tied the game up at eight forcing extras.
After two scoreless innings, Barzilli would put Whittier in front with his third home run of the game in the Top of the 12th. But again Oxy would come back to tie the game up in the bottom of the inning with a Smith solo shot to left center.
But in the 13th, Whittier would put the game out of reach bringing across three runs thanks to a JP Fasone double down the right field line and a squeeze bunt by Pimm. The Tigers would muster another run in their half of the inning but it wouldn't be enough as Whittier would hold on for the two run victory.
Cerami earned his second win of the season after coming in relief of Matt Webster. Cerami threw 7.0 innings giving up three earned runs on four hits, while striking out four. Justin Cheatham got the start and had the no decision after going 5.0 innings giving up five runs on seven hits.
Six pitchers were used for Oxy but Strain earned the loss after he went 0.2 innings giving up three runs on two hits.
Barzilli finished with his best single game performance of his career going 4-6 with four runs scored and five runs batted in. Cerami also had a great day at the plate also going 4-6 with a run scored and two RBI's. Pimm who batted in the nine hole today finished 2-6 with two runs scored and an run batted in.
Whittier has the week to prepare for a three game series with La Verne next weekend. They are supposed to play at La Verne's new baseball facility on Friday, April 4 at 3:00pm before coming home to Memorial Field to host a doubleheader the following day Saturday, April 5 with game times set for 11:00am and 2:00pm.