Baseball Downed by NAIA #2 Azusa Pacific

Chuck Acker '08 hit a two-run bomb in the first inning, but Whittier College lost 11-3 at NAIA #2 Azusa Pacific University on February 11.  The Poets are still winless this season at 0-4.

The Poet offense could only muster five hits in the game, but only trailed 4-3 after seven innings. Acker's home run was his first of the season and Ryan Martin '08 drove in the Poet run in the top half of the fifth.  Mike Benavente '08 went 2-for-3 in the game with a pair of singles and a run scored. 

Azusa scored three runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead, and they would not trail again.  Martin's RBI single tied the game, but Azusa answered right back with four straight singles in the bottom of the inning to score their fourth run.  It wasn't  until the eighth inning that Azusa blew the game open, with seven runs on six hits and an error. 

Seven pitchers took the mound for the Poets in the game.  Kevin Pigott '10 was credited with the loss, despite throwing two solid innings in which he gave up three hits and just one run.  He struck out two batters.  Justin Armijo '09 and Marty Bueno '09 combined to throw two shutout innings in relief.

The Poets continue their non-conference schedule against Pacific Lutheran University on February 14.  First pitch from Memorial Baseball Field is scheduled for 2:30pm.