WHITTIER — Scott Hong (Los Angeles) struck out five batters in his first start on the mound,Johnathan Brooks (Huntington Beach) continued his hot streak at the plate and the Occidental College baseball team earned a much-needed 3-1 victory at Whittier in the second game of the series, and first game of a doubleheader with the Poets on Saturday.
Hong, Oxy's utility star who's normally the team's closer, earned the victory, giving up just one run in six innings pitched. When he checked out in the seventh inning, Oxy's bullpen was lights-out. John Ugai (Durango, Colo.), David Feasler (Park City, Utah), Tyler Steimel (Brawley) and Scott Ericksen(Lafayette) gave up just one hit and had no walks in three innings of combined relief.
Brooks, who's second in the SCIAC in hitting (.450), went 3 for 4 with an RBI.
The Tigers (17-8, 8-6 SCIAC) scored all three of their runs in the top of the third inning. Chris Strain(Bellevue) scored on a passed ball, Brooks drove in Riley Smith (Bellevue, Wash.) with a single through the right side and Alec Strain (Sacramento) hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Logan Allen(Atascadero).
Whittier took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Julian Barzilli scored Stephen Zavala with an RBI-double down the left field line.
Whittier starter Thomas Hemington went 5.2 innings and struck out six batters, but was charged with the loss.
Game 2 of the day and the final game of the series, is in progress.