Baseball Takes Three Against Occidental

Anthony Cappelletti '09 drove in eleven runs as Whittier College baseball swept Occidental College in a three-game SCIAC series on April 25 and 26.  The Poets won 12-6 in game one at home, then traveled to Eagle Rock, Calif., to when both legs of a doubleheader 12-4 and 11-9, respectively.

The Poets came back with eleven runs in the seventh and eighth innings to win game one.  The comeback was highlighted by a grand slam from Cappelletti, who went 3-for-5 at the plate with six RBI.  John Fugazi '09 drove in a pair of runs.  Chuck Acker '08 began what would be a very productive series by going 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored.  Lorenzo Lopez '09 went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored.  Ryan Crawford '11 also had a pair of hits including a double, an RBI and two runs scored. 

On the mound, Justin Armijo '09 went eight strong innings, walking just one batter and scattering nine hits.  He allowed four earned runs to get his third win of the year.  Blake Luitwieler '08 pitched a hitless ninth in relief.

It was Cappelletti who led the charge in game two as well.  He went 4-for-4 with a homer, double, four RBI and three runs scored.  Acker hit a bomb as well, and scored twice.  Brian Carmona '10 finished with a pair of hits and two RBI.  Fugazi went 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored.  Ryan Martin '08 had a pair of hits, one RBI and a run scored.  Lopez, Mike Benavente '09 and Patrick Martin '10 each drove in a run.

Once again, the Poets got a strong outing from their starter; this time by Thomas Phelps '09.  He allowed three runs on six hits in eight innings.  He also struck out six batters.  Mark Canner '08 came in for the ninth inning and didn't allow a hit.

In the series finale, Acker hit a pair of home runs and finished with three hits, four RBI and three runs scored.  Ryan Martin went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.  Luke Moedritzer '09 hit a two-run blast.  Cappelletti finished with a pair of hits including a double, an RBI and a run scored.  Carmona hit an RBI-double and scored a run. 

Marty Bueno '09 was credited with the win, leaving the game after 5.2 innings pitched with an 8-6 lead.  Luitwieler recorded the last out of the game to earn his second save this season.

The Poets wrap up their season on May 2 and 3 when they take on La Verne in a three-game series.  Game one on the road is scheduled to begin at 3:00pm.