WHITTIER, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2026) — The Whittier College Poets opened the 2026 season at home with a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup against the University of Redlands Bulldogs. In a back-and-forth contest that featured multiple lead changes, Redlands ultimately held on for an 8–6 victory.
The Bulldogs struck first with two runs in the top of the second inning, but Whittier responded immediately. With two outs in the bottom of the frame,
Aidan Cardoza (Riverside, Calif., San Bernardino Valley College) doubled down the left-field line to put a runner in scoring position. That brought the Canadian,
Parker Eastwood-Lilles (Vancouver BC, Canada, St. George's Academy), to the plate, and he made an immediate impact by driving the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence to tie the game at 2–2.
Redlands regained the lead in the third inning, collecting three hits and scoring two runs to go ahead 4–2. The Poets answered once again in the bottom half of the inning.
Rayden Miguel (Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Moanalua) led off with a single to center field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Coehn Nakasone (Aiea, Hawaii, Mid-Pacific Institute).
Matthew Mecate (Highland, Calif., CSU Dominguez Hills) then laced a triple down the right-field line to score Miguel.
Joe Plaskett (Fremont, Calif., Washington) followed with a hard ground ball to third base, and while he was thrown out at first, Mecate scored on the play to knot the game at 4–4.
Freshman
Jacob Imboden (Phoenix, Ariz., Sandra Day O'Connor) entered in the fourth inning and shut down the Bulldog offense for two innings. He was followed by
Lukas Long (Stockton Calif., Bear Creek), who tossed two more scoreless innings to keep the game tied. Whittier took its first lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Mecate opened the frame with a hard single that took a favorable hop and allowed him to reach second base. The Poets later loaded the bases and pushed one run across when Mecate scored on a passed ball, giving Whittier a 5–4 advantage.
Redlands broke through again in the top of the eighth inning, collecting four hits—including two home runs—to score four runs and retake the lead at 8–5.
The Poets added one final run in the bottom of the ninth when
Joseph Leyva (Downey, Calif., Warren) scored on Miguel's sacrifice fly to left field, but the comeback effort fell short as Redlands secured the 8–6 win.
Despite the season-opening loss, Whittier showed several positives. Mecate and Eastwood-Lilles each recorded two hits. Mecate finished the day with two hits, a triple, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Eastwood-Lilles launched Whittier's first home run of the season and added two RBIs and a walk.
On the mound,
Owen Moore (Austin, Texas, St. Michael's Catholic Academy) made the start for the Poets, working three innings and allowing three earned runs. Imboden and Long combined to hold the Bulldogs scoreless through the middle innings, and
Brady Hess (Austin, Texas, St. Michael's Catholic Academy) provided a solid relief appearance to escape a late-inning jam.
The Poets will look to bounce back and take the series as they travel to Redlands tomorrow for games two and three of the set. First pitch for game two is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!
