Oxy Steals Two from the Thunder
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (Mar. 11, 2009) – The Occidental College softball team used a pair of come-from-behind victories over Wheaton College (IL) today on Bell Field to even their season record. Game one ended with a 3-2 win. The Tigers then strung together a two-out, seventh inning rally in game two as Tasha Serna-Gallegos connected for the biggest hit of her young collegiate career, scoring a pair to put Occidental on top 4-3.
Entering the day the Tigers had won five of their last six, and have gained confidence with every pitch and swing. That confidence was tested today by a tough Wheaton College squad. The Thunder opened up leads in both games early, but saw those advantages evaporate as Oxy hung tough and battled back to win both and even their overall record at 7-7.
In the opener, Wheaton jumped out to a two nothing lead off of Shanna Yackel in the top of the first. Yackel made one mistake all game, which ended in a two run blast to left center. She, as Oxy did all day, held her composure and allowed only five more hits in six shut out innings.
The Tigers could only muster one hit through the first four innings, looking as if that two run lead might be enough. In the fifth inning with two down and a runner on second, Olympia Powell started a two-out rally with a double to right center that cut the deficit in half. Gabriela Chavez followed that up with another double, this time to left center, scoring Powell. Knotted at 2-2, Stephanie Egan lined a single into the gap, giving Chavez just enough time to beat the throw home.
Yackel, who remained rock solid, pitched two no hit innings to close out the game and protect the 3-2 Oxy lead for the win.
Game two started much the same, as Wheaton manufactured three runs in the top of the first off Yackel. But the Tigers were able to counter quickly in the bottom of the first, as Chavez, who finished the day with five hits, doubled and with two outs Egan hit a line drive down the left field line and Chavez tore around the bases with head coach Jodie Cox emphatically waving her home.
Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the third, Egan and Chavez took center stage again. The sophomore third baseman singled to center, scoring Chavez, cutting the Thunder lead to one.
Kimi Elguea came out of the bullpen and silenced the Wheaton bats pitching 4.0 shutout innings to set up a dramatic finish.
In the bottom of the seventh, with the Thunder still clinging to a 3-2 lead, Chavez again got the rally going with a one out single. Alyssa Escalante promptly made it back-to-back hits. With runners at first and second, a Tiger fly out to short center kept the runners from advancing. Alyssa Smith came to the plate, and after a 12 pitch at bat, drew a walk that loaded the bases for Serna-Gallegos. After fouling off the first pitch, Serna-Gallegos hit a smooth liner into the gap scoring Chavez and Escalante and stealing a win from Wheaton College.
The Tigers continued to battle all day, despite facing early deficits to start each game, finding ways to win. A team that struggled to score in its first four outings has now found ways to score when it mattered the most, handing the visiting Thunder their sixth straight loss to open the season, while the Tigers stretch their win-streak to four games.
Next up for the Tigers (7-7) is another pair of non-conference games. Friday, March 13 the Tigers will host the Hendrix College (AR) Warriors on Bell Field beginning at noon.
