WHITTIER, CA. (March 27, 2025)- The Whittier College Poets showcased their resilience and offensive firepower in a dramatic 9-8 victory over Oberlin College at Hugh B. Mendez Stadium. In a game filled with momentum swings, Ty Aldridge (Hayward, Calif., Allegheny College) delivered a standout performance at the plate and the Poets' bullpen came through in the clutch to secure the win.

After a quick first inning, Oberlin scratched across the first run of the game in the second. A single up the middle put the Yeomen ahead 1-0, but the Poets wasted no time answering back. Andrew Griffin (Colton, Calif., San Bernardino Valley) sparked the offense by reaching base, setting the stage for Aldridge, who smashed a triple through the left side to bring Griffin home and tie the game at 1-1.

In the third, Whittier took its first lead of the game when Matthew Mecate (Highland, Calif., CSU Dominguez Hills) laced a single into center field. As Rayden Miguel (Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Moanalua) rounded third, Oberlin's center fielder misplayed the ball, allowing Miguel to race home and put the Poets up 2-1.

Oberlin responded in the fourth with a two-run home run, reclaiming a 3-2 lead. But once again, the Poets refused to stay down. In the bottom of the inning, Maximus Berber (Riverside, Calif., Ramona) started the inning off getting hit by a pitch before Griffin singled to center field. Aldridge came up clutch once more, singling home Berber to tie the game at 3-3. Jackson Brummett (Huntington Beach, Calif., Huntington Beach) then put the Poets ahead with a productive groundout to shortstop that brought Griffin home. The Poets weren't done there—Collin O'Driscoll (Belmont, Calif., College of San Mateo) stepped up and ripped an RBI double into the gap, bringing home Aldridge to give Whittier a 5-3 lead. The inning continued with Rayden stepping to the plate and doubling to right field for his first college hit and RBI. With O'Driscoll scoring the Poets now led 6-3.

The Yeomen fought back, scoring three runs in the top of the fifth to even the game at 6-6. But the Poets had an immediate response. In the bottom of the inning, Griffin started a rally with a walk. Aldridge and Brummett followed that up with back-to-back doubles pushing the Whittier lead to 8-6. After O'Driscoll had a nice bunt single, he stole second and forced a throw into the outfield that allowed Brummett to come in a put the Poets up 9-6. 
Oberlin refused to go away, scoring a run in each of the next two innings to cut the deficit to 9-8. But Whittier's bullpen stepped up when it mattered most. Carlos Rodarte (Ontario, Calif., Chaffey) took over in relief and kept the Yeomen off the board with some key outs in the middle innings.

With the Poets clinging to a one-run lead, Aaron Cazares (Eastvale, Calif., Norco) was called upon to close out the game. He delivered in dominant fashion, retiring 8 of the 9 Oberlin hitters he faced to pick up his second save of the season. A clutch strikeout to end the game sealed Whittier's hard-fought victory; while also securing Cazares his 100th career strikeout. 

Key Performances:

Ty Aldridge – 3-for-4, 2 RBIs, double, triple, 2 Rs, SB
Rayden Miguell – 1-for-2, RBI, double, 2 BBs, R
Collin O'Driscoll – 2-for-4, RBI, double, R, SB
Carlos Rodarte – Winning pitcher (1-0), 1.1 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 Ks
Aaron Cazares – 2nd save of the season, 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 Ks (100th career strikeouts)


The Poets proved their toughness in this back-and-forth battle, responding to every Oberlin rally with key hits and timely pitching. Aldridge was a force at the plate, while the bullpen duo of Rodarte and Cazares held strong under pressure, delivering the clutch outs Whittier needed.
With the win, the Poets gain momentum heading into their next matchup as they look to build off their strong offensive showing with a conference battle against a tough Pomona Pitzer team. This series will begin Friday afternoon at Pomona, with the first pitch slated for 3:00. 

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