Garrett, Jebbia Power Tigers to Victory
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 18, 2009) – For the first time in his collegiate career catcher Dale Garrett trotted around the bases in a day to remember as he and junior shortstop Jason Jebbia combined to go 5-for-7 with seven RBIs, two stolen bases and three runs scored in the Tigers’ 15-0 non-conference win over Principia (IL) College on Anderson Field.
Garrett’s day began with two-out, two-RBI single in the first inning to give Oxy a 3-0 lead after Jebbia reached on a bunt single and scored the first and ultimate winning run earlier in the frame. The sophomore then led off the fourth inning with a solo homerun and followed up with a sac fly to fifth before Spencer Woolwine took over behind the plate. The senior captain was also 2-for-2 adding an RBI and scoring a run for the Tigers.
Jebbia was a triple shy of the cycle after connecting for a two-run homerun in the seventh and driving in another run in the eight when he doubled to right field.
In his final at-bat of the day centerfielder turned pitcher Nick Saraceni tripled, driving in a pair in the eighth as he reached base for the third time of the day after being hit by a pitch twice. Saraceni swiped second base in the fourth inning.
Also a threat on the base paths today was designated hitter Gonzalo Villasmil who stole second twice and third once as he scored twice and drove in a run. Anthony Salsedo stole second and third when he reached on an error in the first inning. Eight of the nine players in the starting line-up swiped at least one bag.
Senior righty Matthew Jones got the start and earned the win, his third of the season, as he scattered four hits over 5.0 innings of work while striking out five batters. Saraceni threw a hitless ninth inning, striking out the final batter of the game looking.
Garrett had been out of the lineup since March 10 when he was hit in the elbow by a pitch against Ithaca.
Occidental (10-11) will be back on the diamond Sunday afternoon when they host the No. 7 Chapman University (15-5) Panthers for a single non-conference game beginning at noon.
