WHITTIER, Calif. (March 8, 2023)- Whittier concluded their series against the Rochester Yellow Jackets, splitting the double-header today. In the first game the Poets lost 13-7, but came back fierce in the second game going off for 22 hits in an 18-10 victory. 

Game 1: 

In the opening game of the day the Poets held an early lead and was able to keep pace with the Yellow Jackets most of the game. 

In the first inning Nathan Sherman did his job as the leadoff guy and drew a walk to set up the batters behind him. Dane Goodman, Teige Barrett, and Luis Guillermo Chavarin Jr. followed the walk with a series of singles to give the Poets a 3-2 lead over Rochester as the teams headed to the second. 

Rochester was then able to tag Whittier for a 4 spot in the third inning, before Whittier answered back with 2 in the fourth. Sherman once again came to the plate for the Poets and had a successful at bat driving in 2 runs with a triple down the right field line. The score was now 6-5 Yellow Jackets. 

The score remained the same until the wheels began to fall off for the Poet pitchers. Walks, passed balls, and wild pitches led to the Yellow Jackets scoring 5 in the top of the eighth. Rochester now led 13-5. Abe Bullard was able scratch 2 more across for the Poets, driving a 2-run shot over the left field wall. The fight ended there however, as the Yellow Jackets would be the Poets 13-7.

Game 2: 

As the second game began, Whittier looked to have much more energy and fight in them. In the first inning Teige Barrett and Lew Rice drew walks, allowing Bullard to come up and drive Barrett home with a single. Whittier had an early 1-0 lead and did not look back from there. 

In the third the Yellow Jackets struck back with a run, but that punch woke the Poets bats up. Whittier answered back scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the third. These runs were earned by 9 hits in the inning for the Poets, including 2 doubles from Cam Gray. 

The men continued to extend their lead, but Rochester would not go away scoring 4 in the fifth, 3 in the sixth, and 2 in the seventh. Whittier though wanted this game more and responded to each blow with runs of their own. The fifth saw 4 more runs for the Poets, followed by 2 in the eighth. 

Whittier would dominate this game beating the Yellow Jackets 18-10, while totaling 22 hits. Maximus Berber entered the game in the sixth inning for the Poets and kept Rochester at bay, with a 4 inning save. 

A lot of Poets shinned at the plate for the Poets today. Sherman went 4-8 with 3 RBIs and a triple. Barrett had 4 hits, 4 RBIs, and a double, while Gray had 2 doubles and 4 RBIs. Bullard had some big at-bats for Whittier going 4-6, with 4 RBIs and a homerun. James Stirton and Rice lead the Poets each recording 5 hits on the day. 

The Poets will have a long break before returning to SCIAC play next Friday the 17th. They will travel to Chapman to take on the Panthers at 3:00. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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