WHITTIER, CA. (March 21, 2025)- The Whittier College Poets showcased their resilience in a doubleheader against Tufts University at Hugh B. Mendez Stadium, bouncing back from a tough 13-6 loss in Game 1 to claim a thrilling 1-0 walk-off victory in Game 2. Behind a dominant pitching performance and a clutch sacrifice fly from Matthew Mecate (Highland, Calif., CSU Dominguez Hills), the Poets secured a hard-fought win to close out the day.

Game 1: 
Tufts jumped out to an early lead, pushing across two runs after a Whittier defensive miscue extended the inning. The Poets responded in the bottom half of the second, as Spencer Jenkins (Bakersfield, Calif., Menlo College) walked and advanced to scoring position after a well-placed bunt from Andrew Griffin (Colton, Calif., San Bernardino Valley). After a single by Alex Jasso (South Gate, Calif., Maywood Center for Enriched Studies) moved Griffin to third, Jackson Brummett (Huntington Beach, Calif., Huntington Beach) brought him home with a productive groundout, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The Jumbos broke the game open with a five-run inning, taking advantage of a few Poets' defensive miscues and taking a 7-1 lead. Both pitching staffs settled in as Whittier's bullpen provided scoreless frames, keeping the Poets in the game for the next three innings. 

In the seventh and final inning of the first game, Tufts tacked on six more runs but Whittier showed their fight in the bottom half. Ian Watanabe (Lodi, Calif., Lodi) started the inning off with a pinch-hit double down the right field line. His double was followed by three walked to Collin O'Driscoll (Belmont, Calif., College of San Mateo), Battle, and Mecate to bring a run across the plate and still have the bases loaded. Joe Plaskett (Fremont, Calif., Washington) then laced a single through the left side for 2 RBIs. After Jenkins walked to load the bases, Peyton Collier (Honolulu, Hawaii, Mid-Pacfic) came in and drew a walk to bring home another run as the score was now 13-5. Jasso was able to bring one more run across to score but in the end the Poets would drop this one by a final of 13-6.  

Key Performances:
Joe Plaskett: 1 H, 2 RBIs
Matthew Mecate: 1 R, 1 RBI, 3 BB
Spencer Jenkins: 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB


Game 2:
The Poets secured a thrilling 1-0 victory over Tufts University in a game dominated by exceptional pitching. Spencer Jenkins threw a stellar 5.1 innings of shutout ball, and the Poets' defense played great behind him. The only run of the game came in the bottom of the ninth, as Matthew Mecate delivered a walk-off sacrifice fly, giving the Poets the narrow win.

As the game began both teams got runners on early; however, the pitchers settled in to what was a masterful pitching dual. Jenkins was on the mound for the Poets and kept the Jumbo's bats at bay allowing just two base runners through the next four innings. Offensively, Whittier couldn't break through, but they made consistent contact and got base runners in the second, third, and fourth innings, though they were unable to capitalize.

In the top of the sixth Tufts had a chance to threaten with a lead off double. However, Carter Calkin (Kirkland, Wash., Bellevue Christian School) came in and got the final 2 outs of the inning to keep the score tied at 0. 

Calkin threw the next inning without allowing a hit before handing the ball to Diego Lopez (San Jose, Calif., West Valley College) who got his man out, then gave the ball to closer Lukas Long (Stockton, Calif., Bear Creek). Long pitched 1.2 innings for the Poets not allowing the Jumbos to score. 

Then in the bottom of the ninth the Poets broke the deadlock. Thomas Iten (Stockton, Calif., Lincoln) started things off with a walk, but was called out at second on a Coehn Nakasone (Aiea, Hawaii, Mid-Pacific) fielder's choice. After a botched pick off attempt and wild pitch Nakasone found himself at third with one out. A walk to Battle and him stealing second, put runners at second and third for Mecate in a huge spot. Mecate knew exactly what he had to do and looked for a pitch up to drive to the outfield. He got just that and was able to score Nakasone on a SAC fly to right field. The Poets would come away with the 1-0 victory and the series win over the Jumbos. 


Key Performances:
Matthew Mecate 2-for-4, 1 RBI (game-winning sacrifice fly)
Coehn Nakasone: 2-for-4. 1 R
Collin O'Driscoll: 2-for-3 
Spencer Jenkins 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K 
Carter Calkin 1.2 IP; 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
Lukas Long 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, (W, 1-1) 


With the split, Whittier improves to 6-14, showing grit and determination in their fight against a tough Tufts squad. The Poets will look to carry this momentum forward as they continue their season. Their next game will be on Wednesday March 26th, at 3:00 PM, as they take on Oberlin College. 

---

Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!