Author: Mirin Fader
The Men’s Baseball team (SCIAC 5-14; overall 9-21) fell 5-2 to Whittier College (SCIAC 7-13; overall 15-16) at Anderson Field this past Friday.
Whittier pitcher Austin Straus (junior) (1-2) picked up his first win of the season by pitching six innings, with five strikeouts. He was allowed four hits. Whittier pitcher Mike Rueda (junior) picked up the save, and Occidental pitcher Ross Pomerantz (senior) (3-7) struck out seven, pitching just over seven innings.
The Tigers struck first with an RBI in the bottom of the third inning. After walking, third baseman Riley Smith (first-year) advanced to second on a ground out by catcher Dale Garrett (senior). Then shortstop Logan Allen (sophomore) singled to second base on a bunt, allowing Smith to score from third base.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Poets took a 2-1 lead after second baseman Reed Tuttle (senior) singled to center field and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Pomerantz walked left-fielder Alex Gast (senior) and third baseman Dan Gleiberman (senior), loading the bases.
Tuttle scored on an error by second baseman John Ugai (first-year) on a ball hit by catcher Darby Weppner (senior). Gleiberman advanced to second, and Gast to third. On a sacrifice fly by shortstop Cory Goodchild (junior), Gast scored.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, both designated hitter Stephen Hilliard (senior) and first baseman Pedro Aldape (sophomore) were caught trying to steal second. Right-fielder Alec Strain (first-year) walked, stole second but was out trying to steal third.
Both teams were scoreless in the fifth inning.
On a home run by Gleiberman, Whittier stretched its lead to 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning.
The Poets scored again in the top of the seventh inning after right-fielder Andrew Vallejo (junior) scored on Tuttle’s single to left field, pushing Whittier’s lead to 4-1.
The bottom of the seventh inning began with Straus walking Strain. Pitcher Rueda relieved Straus. Aldape grounded out, with Strain advancing to second base.
Strain then advanced to third base when Smith grounded out. Strain was left stranded when Garrett also grounded out to the shortstop.
The Poets’ final run was scored in the top of the eighth inning when Weppner, striking out, was able to advance to first base on a wild pitch. He advanced to second base on an error, as Goodchild reached first base. Pomerantz was then relieved by pitcher Mitch Margolis (first-year).
Both runners took off on the pitch, with Goodchild advancing to second base and Weppner stealing third base. Weppner also scored on the second error of the inning, giving the Poets their fifth run.
Margolis then struck out as Straus swung.
Occidental rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning when Hilliard singled to left field, and pinch runner Jacob Lee (sophomore) stole second base. Rueda’s wild pitch allowed Strain to reach first base, and Lee to third base. Aldape’s sacrifice fly to center field allowed Lee to score Occidental’s second and final run.
Head Coach Jason Hawkins believes the missing ingredient to Occidental’s success is better execution.
“We have to execute better on offense and defense. This is the best pitching staff and defensive team to play here in a long time, and the ERA and fielding percentage support that. But we failed to capitalize on offense. We’re swinging the bats better than we have all year — we just need to execute with guys on base,” he said.
Smith echoes Coach Hawkins’ emphasis on offensive play.
“We really have been working to improve our offensive game. The key is to keep getting consistent base runners on and putting pressure on the defense. If we are able to understand situations while at the plate and knowing what we need to do in order to get runners in scoring position more consistently, we are going to score a lot of runs. We’ll be able to put pressure on their defense and will be able to get more base runners on,” Smith said.
Despite the Tigers’ commitment to offensive improvement, the Tigers are still facing adversity.
However, Allen asserts that despite the trouble in the team’s record, the team is focused on improving, rather than winning.
“At this point in the season, wins and losses don’t matter as much as making sure the team is getting better every day. Our goal is to continue to work hard and improve as individuals and a team each and every day. Our motivation is going out and playing our hardest every day. The win loss column doesn’t motivate us as much as wanting to compete, regardless of the score or standings,” he said.
Aldape agrees with Allen’s assessment of the team’s motivation.
“We have been training since January to get through adversity, and this is no different. We will continue to fight every game and are beginning to trust the work we have put in. We just need to keep believing in our ability to play and win ballgames, and the wins will come.” Aldape said.
Coach Hawkins values his team’s persistence in the face of challenges, regardless of the team’s record.
“We’ve dealt with adversity all season. Injuries have plagued us, but we don’t make excuses — we just go out and battle. This is a tough group of young men, and I’d go to war with them any day of the week. What motivates them is getting better every day and striving for any competitive advantage they can find,” he said.
Occidental will play Friday, April 15 at Redlands and will then host both Caltech on Saturday and Cal Lutheran on Sunday for two games.
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