Belter K’s, Oxy Long Balls Lead Tigers Past Scarlet Raptors

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 15, 2008) – As rain and hail fell down the boys played ball at Anderson Field where the Brooks Belter struck out 12 and Jason Jebbia and Glenn Gray each connected for a homerun as Occidental defeated Rutgers-Camden 10-3 in day two of the California Classic.

Belter threw 7.2 innings, scattering five hits, allowing three earned runs before handing the ball to fellow freshman Kris Suzuki who recorded the final four outs, including two Ks. Belter struck out the side in the seventh and sat down five of the six outs recorded between the sixth and seventh.

Jebbia was hot at the plate with a 4-5 day that included three doubles and a homerun, while designated hitter Seth Goss turned in a 3-5 performance. Case Miyahira and Adam Franks each collected two hits while Jebbia, Goss and Franks drove in a pair apiece. 

Rutgers-Camden got out to an early 1-0 lead in the third. With two outs in the fourth Oxy tied things up at 1-1 with a pair of infield singles.

In the top of the fourth shortstop Shawn Park launched a 1-2 breaking ball over the left field fence for a 2-run homerun giving RC a temporary 3-1 lead.

Jebbia exchanged the favor with an opposite field homerun that cleared the right field wall to lead off the fifth. Goss doubled down the leftfield line two pitches later before Gray drew a walk. Patrick Sarkissian then grounded out, plating Goss. In as a pinch-hitter, Franks launched a ball off the centerfield wall scoring Gray for the go-ahead and ultimate winning run.

Gray sparked a six run seventh with a solo shot to right centerfield. The Tigers sent nine more men to the plate in the inning.

Occidental’s defense was solid, with just one error on a pick-off attempt, which caused no harm. Matt Andersen made a running catch, slamming into the outfield fence, for the first out of the first inning. Miyahira showed his great range fielding a sharply hit ball behind second base, throwing to first where Franks picked the ball for the first out of the eighth.

RC starter Eric Bosworth lasted just 4.0 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits as the Scarlet Raptors fell to 3-6 on the season. Oxy improved to 7-12.

Occidental will wrap up the Cal Classic with a 3:00 p.m. first pitch against the University of Puget Sound tomorrow. Anderson Field will also be the site of a 10:00 a.m. game between the Wesleyan University Cardinals and the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats.