WHITTIER, CA. (Feb. 20-21, 2026)- Whittier College baseball earned a convincing series-opening win before dropping a pair of tightly contested games as Puget Sound took two of three in a weekend series at Mendez Stadium.

Across the three games, the Poets showed offensive explosiveness and resilience, highlighted by a seven-run victory Friday and multiple comeback efforts throughout the weekend.

Game One: Whittier 7, Puget Sound 3

The Poets opened the series with authority, erupting for four runs in the sixth inning to break open a tight contest and secure a 7–3 win.

After falling behind 2–1 early, Whittier tied the game in the sixth when Joe Plaskett (Fremont, Calif., Washington) launched a solo home run to right field. Moments later, Aidan Cardoza (Riverside, Calif., San Bernardino Valley College) delivered an RBI double to plate Jackson Brummett (Huntington Beach, Calif., Huntington Beach), and Matthew Mecate (Highland, Calif., CSU Dominguez Hills) followed with a two-run homer to right, capping the four-run frame and swinging momentum firmly in the Poets' favor.

Whittier added insurance in the seventh when Plaskett and Parker Eastwood-Lilles (Vancouver BC, Canada, St. George's Academy) set the table for Eric Logsdon (Apple Valley, Calif., Victor Valley College), who drove in a run with a single to extend the lead to 6–3. The Poets tacked on another in the eighth on a wild pitch.

On the mound, Andrew Berdelis (Huntington Beach, Calif., Huntington Beach) delivered a strong outing, tossing 6.2 innings while allowing three runs and earning the win. The bullpen closed the door, as Whittier held Puget Sound scoreless over the final two innings.

The Poets totaled 12 hits in the opener, with Plaskett (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) and Mecate (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) leading the charge. 

Game Two: Puget Sound 11, Whittier 4

Whittier responded early in Saturday's first game, rallying from an early deficit with a three-run third inning to briefly seize momentum.

After Puget Sound built a 5–1 lead, the Poets answered in the bottom half of the third. Plaskett doubled to right to start the rally, and Jack Lee (Bellevue, Wash., Edmonds College) delivered a two-run double to left to cut the deficit. Later in the inning, Mecate worked a bases-loaded walk to bring Whittier within one at 5–4.

The Poets held Puget Sound in check through the middle innings, but a late offensive surge by the visitors widened the gap in the final frames.
Lee finished with two hits and two RBI, while Plaskett and Cardoza each added doubles as part of a six-hit effort. 

Game Three: Puget Sound 7, Whittier 4

In the series finale, Whittier once again battled back, tying the game late before a ninth-inning push from Puget Sound proved decisive.

After falling behind 3–0, the Poets chipped away in the fourth when Cardoza singled home Eastwood-Lilles. Whittier struck again in the seventh, as  Mecate tripled down the right-field line to score Jay Schulze (Huntington Beach, Calif., Huntington Beach), and Eastwood-Lilles followed with a sacrifice fly to even the game at 3–3.

Puget Sound answered in the top of the ninth, capitalizing on key hits to pull ahead. Whittier mounted one last rally in the bottom half, highlighted by a solo home run from Collin O'Driscoll (Belmont, Calif., College of San Mateo), but the comeback came up short.

Eastwood-Lilles collected two hits in the finale, while Cardoza added two of his own as the Poets tallied seven hits. 

Whittier showcased timely power, aggressive baserunning, and resilience throughout the series, highlighted by 3 home runs and multiple comeback efforts. The Poets will look to build on the offensive momentum as they continue non-conference play on Tuesday evening against Westcliff University at Great Park in Irvine. This game will have a first pitch at 6:00 PM.

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