WHITTIER, CA. (May 2, 2025)- The Whittier College Poets began their final series of the season Friday afternoon, taking on the Pacific University Boxers. The Purple and Gold came ready to play this game, putting together a complete effort against the Northwest Conference Champions. A strong performance on the mound by
Maximus Berber (Riverside, Calif., Ramona), and some key hitting propelled the Poets to a 10-2 victory.
As the game began the Poets had their senior ace on the mound. Berber has been the backbone of the Whittier staff over the years and was making his final start of his career. The big man was 10 strikeouts shy of 200 career Ks and had his eyes set on it.
In the top of the first, the Boxers came out and were able to scratch across a run in the first, but the Poets stopped the damage stranding 2 runners on base. However, Whittier responded quickly in the bottom half of the inning.
Nathan Sherman (Ventura, Calif., Buena) started things off with a leadoff walk and was moved to second on a
Sevon Battle (Las Vegas, Nev., Baker College) SAC bunt.
Matthew Mecate (Highland, Calif., CSU Dominguez Hills) then was able to get the first run on the board for the Poets with an RBI single, scoring Sherman.
Joe Plaskett (Fremont, Calif., Washington) followed that up with an RBI triple off the right field fence.
Andrew Griffin (Colton, Calif., San Bernardino Valley) wanted to get in on the action then and brought Plaskett home with a single of his own. At the end of the first, the Poets were on top 3-1.
The next three innings were quiet for both teams, as neither were able to score. Then in the top of the fifth Pacific inched their way closer scoring another run and making this a 3-2 ballgame.
Whittier did not get their bats going for another two innings, but then in the bottom of the seventh, they woke up.
Coehn Nakasone (Aiea, Hawaii, Mid-Pacific) and Battle both reached for Mecate, who hit a rocket at the first basemen. The throw to second hit right off Battle's back and rolled into left field. This error allowed Nakasone to score and put runners at second and third with no outs.
Alex Jasso (South Gate, Calif., Maywood Center for Enriched Studies) then stepped up and hit a laser to center field that scored 2 more runs for Whittier. After Griffin recorded his third hit of the game to put runners at first and second,
Joseph Leyva (Downey, Calif., La Harbor College) stepped up and singled to score Jasso. The Poets were now on top by a score of 7-2.
The Poets were not done there and scored 3 more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Battle started the inning off with a double down the right field line, and Mecate reached behind him on an error by the Boxers.
Ian Watanabe (Lodi, Calif., Lodi) then pinch-hit for the Poets and recorded a SAC fly to left field. After Jasso's single moved Mecate to third, there were runners at the corners for
Cole Friend (Carlsbad, Calif., Willamette University). Friend delivered a single to left center to score another one for Whittier. The final run of the game came the next batter when Leyva singled to center and brought Jasso int o score. Heading to the ninth inning Whittier was ahead 10-2.
As the teams entered the ninth Berber was still on the mound for the Poets. The senior was 2 strikeouts away from the milestone and had one final inning to do it. The ace stepped on the mound and got in the zone one final time. Striking out the first 2 batters of the inning to hit the 200 career strikeout mark on the mound! Striking these 2 batters out, also allowed Maximus to hit double-digit strikeouts in a game this year.
This was a great team victory for Whittier, as they got off on a good note in what will be a tough series against a good Pacific team with the 10-2 win.
Key Performances:
Maximus Berber: 9 IP, 1 ER, 5 HA, 10 Ks
Andrew Griffin: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI
Sevon Battle: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B, SAC
Matthew Mecate: 2-for-5, 3 R, RBI
Joe Plaskett: 2-for-4, R, RBI, 3B
Alex Jasso: 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI
Joseph Leyva: 2-for-2, 2 RBI
The Poets will have their final 2 games of the season tomorrow, hosting the Boxers in a doubleheader. Make sure to come out and support the Purple and Gold in their final games of the season. Whittier will honor the graduating seniors of both teams prior to first-pitch. The ceremony will begin at 10:45 AM with the game getting started right after!
Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!
