Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The pitching woes continued Thursday afternoon as the Whittier College baseball team remained winless on the season following a 9-4 loss to Bates College at Memorial Field.

Despite bringing across three runs in the bottom half of the first, Whittier was unable to shake off Connor Speed over the next four innings as he picked up his first win of the season.  He was dialed in going 5.0 innings surrendering two earned runs that went with six strikeouts. 

Justin Ushio (Mililani, HI) got the start for the Purple & Gold and lasted an inning giving up two earned runs on two hits, walked one and hit a batter.  He earned the no decision.  Royce Komesu (Kailua, HI) was tagged with the loss, his first of the season going just 1.2 innings giving up three runs on five hits.

After falling behind by two in the top half of the first inning, Whittier got three back in the bottom half of the frame.  Dmitri Washington (Peoria, AZ) led things off reaching on an error by the shortstop.  Max Morohashi (Encino, Calif.) singled through the right side advancing Washington to third and after Matthew Macey (Oceanside, Calif.) reached base due to a throwing error by the pitcher, Whittier would bring their first run across.  Head Coach Mike Rizzo then called for a double steal, with Macey stealing second and in doing so allowed Morohashi to come home for the second run.

Jake Raynaud (Los Gatos, Calif.) then stepped up and singled through the left side that put runners on the corners and Max Bradshaw (Salt Lake City, UT) then stepped in and sent one up the middle that brought in the third Poet run.

Bates added a pair in the top of the third with Sam Warren leading off the frame with a solo shot to deep left center and later with two outs Brendan Canavan would single in Asher MacDonald.  Whittier had an opportunity to get another run back in the bottom half of the inning.  Morohashi ripped a double to left center putting him in scoring position with one out.  Raynaud singled through the right side that put runners on the corners but a hard groundout by Bradshaw would end the threat.

The last chance for a rally came in the bottom half of the eighth.  Charlie Mayfield (Placentia, Calif.) started things off getting hit by a pitch and then advanced to second after a throwing error by the pitcher.  Bradshaw would go down looking that put up two outs but Tanner Marcoe (Northridge, Calif.) would pull through as a pinch hitter singling up the middle that brought in the Poets fourth run.

Morohashi finished the game 2-3 with a run scored.  Raynaud was 2-3 and Washington was 1-4 with a run scored. 

Whittier remains with their non-conference tomorrow, Friday, February 26 when they host Lewis & Clark beginning at 2:30pm.