WHITTIER, CA. (Feb. 27/28, 2026)- Whittier College baseball returned to SCIAC play with an offensive surge in the series opener before earning a strong pitching victory in game two, as the Poets took one of three in a competitive weekend set against the University of La Verne Leopards.

Across the series, Whittier totaled 13 runs and 27 hits, highlighted by multiple home runs, timely two-out hitting, and a dominant pitching performance in Saturday's first game at Mendez Stadium.

Game One: La Verne 12, Whittier 9

The Poets jumped out early and mounted multiple comeback efforts, but La Verne used a late push to secure a 12–9 decision Friday afternoon at Ben Hines Field.

Whittier struck first in the opening inning when Rayden Miguel (Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Moanalua) reached on a bunt single and later scored on an RBI single from Joe Plaskett (Fremont, Calif., Washington) with 2-outs. A passed ball allowed Alex Jasso (South Gate, Calif., MACES) to score, giving the Poets a 2–0 lead.

After La Verne answered, Whittier trimmed the deficit in the fifth. Jackson Brummett (Huntington Beach, Calif., Huntington Beach) and Jacob Imboden (Phoenix, Ariz., Sandra Day O'Connor) singled to set the table before Matthew Mecate (Highland, Calif., CSU Dominguez Hills) delivered a two-run single to bring the Poets within 8–4.

The offense surged again in the seventh. Miguel reached on an error, and Parker Eastwood-Lilles (Vancouver BC, Canada, St. George's Academy) walked to put 2 runners on. Collin O'Driscoll (Belmont, Calif., College of San Mateo) then ripped a two-run double to left-center. Plaskett followed with an RBI double to cut the deficit to 10–7.

In the eighth, Mecate launched a two-run home run to right field to make it a two-run game at 11–9, finishing the day with three hits and four RBI.

Whittier totaled 10 hits, including doubles from O'Driscoll and Plaskett, and Mecate's home run paced the offense. 

Game Two: Whittier 4, La Verne 2

The Poets responded in Saturday's opener with a complete team effort, combining timely hitting with strong pitching to earn a 4–2 victory at Mendez Stadium.

Alex Jasso put Whittier on the board in the first inning with a massive solo home run to right field. Then in the third, Coehn Nakasone (Aiea, Hawaii, Mid-Pacific Institute) reached on an error before Mecate blasted a two-run homer to extend the lead to 3–0. This was Mecate's second homer of the series. 

After La Verne cut the deficit to one in the top of the fifth, Whittier answered in the bottom half of the sixth. O'Driscoll singled to right field to start the inning and advanced to third on a pair of passed balls. Before he scored on an RBI single from Aidan Cardoza (Riverside, Calif., San Bernardino Valley College) to provide an insurance run, making it 4-2.

On the mound,Carter Calkin (Kirkland, Wash., Bellevue Christian) started and delivered 4.1 strong innings in his first start of the season. Owen Moore (Austin, Texas, St. Michael's Catholic Academy) came in, closed the door with 4.2 shutout frames, striking out 5, and earning the win. The two limited a relentless La Verne offense to just four hits overall.

Cardoza finished 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Mecate drove in two runs for the Poets. Jasso delivered his first homer of the year, one of his 2 hits, as Whittier secured the bounce-back win. 

Game Three: La Verne 9, Whittier 0

In the series finale, the Poets scattered eight hits but were unable to break through offensively in a 9–0 setback Saturday afternoon.

Whittier threatened early, as Joe Plaskett doubled in the first inning and later singled in the sixth, finishing 3-for-4 on the day. Cardoza and Eastwood-Lilles each added hits as the Poets put runners aboard in multiple innings.

Despite solid bullpen work in relief, La Verne capitalized on key extra-base hits in the middle innings to create separation.

Whittier tallied eight hits in the finale, but was unable to string together the timely hits needed to shift momentum. 

Whittier showed offensive depth and resilience throughout the series, highlighted by Mecate's six RBIs across the three games and a strong combined pitching effort in the Saturday victory. The Poets will look to build on the offensive jump they took this weekend, as they continue play Monday against a strong Bridgewater College team. The Eagles will come into Mendez Stadium with a perfect 11-0 record, as the Poets will look to hand them their first loss of the season, with a 2:00 game start. 
 

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