Tigers Fall on the Road to Menlo

ATHERTON, CALIF.  (April 5, 2009) – It was a tough weekend on the diamond for Occidental College as the Tigers fell in a pair of non-conference games against Menlo College 11-4 and 10-0. On Saturday a tied game after four innings turned into an easy win for the host team before a Sunday shutout as the Tigers were unable to rally much offense and fell in a disappointing end to the weekend.

Game one started out well for both teams. Oxy got things started with a two-out rally on three consecutive singles by Glenn Gray, Anthony Salsedo and Kieran Doherty, whose hit pushed Gray across in the top of the first.  Menlo responded quickly, scoring a run in the bottom of the inning.

Oxy would come right back in the top of the second as Richie Veihl and Casey Harms led off the inning with back-to-back singles. An error two pitches later on a Nick Saraceni grounder loaded the bases and a balk brought in another Tiger run as everyone advanced a base. With only one out, Daniel Kelley hit a slow roller to second, which forced the fielder to pause and make a decision on where to throw as Harms was sprinting home. The delay allowed both Harms to score and Kelley to reach first well ahead of the throw. A line out to end the inning left the Tigers ahead 3-1.

That would be the last lead Oxy would enjoy all weekend as the Oaks came right back in the bottom half of the inning and scored three runs on only two hits.  Retaking the lead, 4-3. After a scoreless third, Oxy found a way to score in the top half of the fourth, as Saraceni singled with one out and was holding on third with two out when Gray lined a single to left center scoring Saraceni and tying the game up at four apiece.

Oxy would not muster another hit until the top of the ninth, but by then it was desperation time as Menlo would put together seven runs on eight hits in that same span and enter the ninth with a commanding 11-4 lead. Although the Tigers put two runners on in the ninth, they were unable to push either across and the game ended with a win for the Oaks.

On Sunday, the Tiger bats were still unable to do much damage at the plate.  After scoring four runs in the first four innings Saturday, they were held scoreless for the final five innings.  In game two they were shutout for all nine innings, as Oaks starter Priestley threw seven innings, and was followed up by two more no-hit innings by Stewart. 

The Tigers were able to make contact, notching eight hits off Priestley, but could never put together a run and threaten to score. A five run inning in the bottom of the second was all the cushion Oaks needed as they cruised eventually winning by a score of 10-0 and a sweep of the weekend series.

Next up for the Tigers is their final non-conference game of the season when they host Vanguard University on Anderson Field on Wednesday, April 8 starting at 3:00 p.m.