Seven Run Fourth Propels Tigers to Sweep

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2009) – After a pair of close games yesterday, the Occidental College Tigers were not looking to repeat the come-from-behind wins they needed heroics to pull out, rather they used a seven run fourth inning to shift the momentum of the game in their favor, winning 12-3 in the end.

Lewis & Clark came out fired up and put two runs on the board straight away in the first inning behind a pair of doubles.

The Tigers threatened in the third but were unable to push a run across the plate. In the fourth inning, though, it was a different story.

Oxy sent 12 men to the plate and connected for six hits including a two-RBI double down the right field line by freshman third baseman Gonzalo Villasmil and a two-RBI single off the bat of Anthony Salsedo.

In the fifth and sixth innings Occidental scored four more runs and Richie Veihl tacked on another homerun to hit season total (five), which leads the nation, with one out in the eighth.

The Pioneers produced their final run of the game in the eighth inning when they drew back-to-back walks followed by a single. Jordan Wlodarczyk and Ryan Kostecka each collected two hits for LC and Wlodarczyk scored twice.  

For Oxy, Kieran Doherty was 3-for-4 and Saraceni was 2-for-4, each scoring two runs and adding an RBI. Doherty stole three bases and Saraceni stole two. Steve Schaffer and Dale Garrett each swiped a bag as well. Schaffer also went 1-for-2, drawing a pair of walks, scoring two runs. Also crossing the plate twice was shortstop Jason Jebbia who singled and walked. Veihl also drove in two, lifting a sac fly to center in the sixth.

Occidental starter Noel Banuelos (1-1) settled down after the second run scored, retiring five consecutive batters, allowing no one to advancer further than second base over the next 5.2 innings. He earned his first win of the season as he struck out four. Alex Bukac, Kris Suzuki and Saraceni each threw an inning in the win.

Tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 16 Oxy will host an exhibition game against the University of British Columbia, a Canadian team and member of the NAIA. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m. on Anderson Field.