Wesleyan Sweeps Oxy in Cal Classic Opening Day

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 14, 2008) – Each spring five SCIAC schools join together to host the California Classic, a 13 team tournament. In day one Wesleyan University (CT) defeated Occidental College 12-4 and 12-11 at Anderson Field in the first of three days of play.

The teams battled through a second game slugfest, which went to the Cardinals who used a grand slam by left fielder Garrett Lamborn and a 3-5 day from Graham Douds to come-from-behind and steal a 12-11 victory from the Tigers who began the game with a seven run first inning.

The teams combined for 31 hits, 17 extra-bases, in game two. Seth Goss and Matt Andersen (4-4) combined for seven hits (six doubles) and seven RBIs. Patrick Sarkissian and Case Miyahira each had three-hit games Goss and Miyahira each scored once while Sarkissian crossed the plate a trio of times and drove one in.

Game one also went to the Cardinals who took an early 1-0 lead on a solo shot in the top of the third inning by third baseman Brice Kelly.  

Oxy responded in the bottom of the inning with a run of their own as they battled with two outs. Miyahira doubled to the left field wall before scoring on a single to left off the bat of sophomore left fielder Glenn Gray to knot the game at 1-1.

The Cardinals struck for two more in the top of the fourth on three hits before opening things up with four more runs in the fifth to take a 7-1 lead en route to a 12-4 defeat of the Tigers. Oxy freshman Dale Garrett got his first collegiate hit and RBI in the ninth inning, driving in Goss who led off with a double.

Miyahira and Andersen each had two hits in the first game including a double.

Wesleyan improves to 4-3 overall after beginning their season last Saturday at Menlo College in Northern California. Occidental falls to 6-12 on the season.

Tomorrow, March 15, the Cardinals will play Rutgers-Camden at 11:00 a.m. and the Tigers will face RC at 3:00 p.m. during day two of the Cal Classic.