Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Baseball team put together a strong comeback Friday afternoon against the University of Puget Sound but it would fall short as they would drop an 8-6 decision.
Dante Mancia (La Mirada, Calif.) got off to a strong start on the mound for the Purple & Gold holding the Loggers scoreless over the first three innings, while collecting five strikeouts. But in the 4th UPS would find their bats getting the bases loaded and nobody out and they would capitalize adding a double and a single that scored four runs.
In the bottom half of the inning Whittier got one back as Jacob Bauer (Pleasanton, Calif.) would go yard cutting the deficit to three. The very next inning Whittier would add another two. Justin Ryan (Riverside, Calif.) started the frame off with a single up the middle and was then moved over as Devon Robinson (Soquel, Calif.) was hit by a pitch. Two batters later Dane Goodman (Ross, Calif.) would keep the rally going with a single on the infield and Bauer would convert bringing in a pair with a single into center.
After a scoreless 6th, UPS would combine for four runs in the 7th on five hits, while using an error that moved the score to 8-4. In the bottom half of the frame Whittier got a rally started with Jarryd Samsing (Buckeye, AZ) and Goodman both adding singles. But it would get thwarted as Samsing would get picked off at second for the second out of the inning, despite Bauer collecting his third hit on the day.
But in the 8th, the Poets wouldn't get denied putting together a comeback with three runs coming on a hit and a couple UPS errors. Mike Hernandez (Stockton, Calif.) started the run reaching on an error by the shortstop. Ryan then reached on an error by the third baseman and Samsing loaded the bases with a walk. Following a pitching change, and two outs showing on the board Goodman came up clutch with a bases clearing double down the left field line. This made it a two score game, but that's as close as they would get despite putting together a late rally in the 9th.
Mancia was charged with the loss after going 3.1 Innings giving up four runs on four hits with six strikeouts. Bauer had his breakout game of his career going 3-for-5 with three RBI's and a run scored. Goodman was also 3-for-5 with two RBI's and Ryan added a 2-for-4 effort scoring twice and driving in another.
Whittier has a short turnaround returning to the diamond tomorrow, Saturday, February 4 for a twin bill against Pacific (OR). First pitches set for 11:00am and 2:00pm.
