FULLERTON, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2023)- Whittier hit the road for the first time this season to take on Hope International in a non-conference game. The Poets were able to score some late runs and get their first victory of the year by a score of 9-8. 

The Poets jumped on the Royals early in this game, scoring 2 runs in the first thanks to a walk from Nathan Sherman and two infield hits by Maximus Berber and Luis Guillermo Chavarin Jr. 

Hope however, was able to answer back with 1 in the bottom of the first. They scored one more in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 2. 

The Royals then threatened again with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, but Nate Burke was able to pitch himself out of the situation.

In the top of the sixth, Jay Schulze led the inning off with a single, before James Stirton played great team baseball moving him over to second with a sac bunt. Goodman then drove him home on a shot to right field. The Poets had a 3-2 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth. 

Hope answered right back and gained the lead, scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth. They now held a 5-3 lead. 

Lew Rice came to the plate in the top of the seventh and inched the Poets back into the game driving a home run over the right field wall to make the score 5-4 Hope. 

After giving up 1 more to hop in the seventh, the Poets went on another run in the eighth. Stirton led the inning off with a single and later scored on a single by Sherman. Teige Barrett then came up and tied the game for the Poets driving a double to center field and scoring Sherman.

As the teams began the ninth they were tied 6-6. Cam Gray and Ian Watanabe came off the bench and hit two pinch-hit singles to start the Poets rally. Delvan Gomez was able to score both of them and reach third himself after a crucial throwing error by the Royals. With Gomez at third, Stirton once again came up with a big hit, singling to center field and scoring the runner. The Poets would take a 9-6 lead to the bottom of the ninth. 

Barrett would then enter the game from left field to close it out for the Poets on the mound. After loading the bases, Teige was able to get the Royals to roll into a fielder's choice and hit a deep sac fly. Hope would have runners at second and third with two outs. Barrett was then able to bear down and strike the final guy out looking to give the Poets their first victory. 

Whittier would win this game 9-8 and add their first tally to the win column. Matthew Helguera, who pitched a scoreless 8th for the Poets, received the win and Teige Barrett was able to walk away with the save. Whittier will look to continue to add to the win column when they take on Centenary this Saturday at home in a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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