LOS ANGELES, Calif. - A flurry of early offense and clutch pitching helped Linfield stave off a late Occidental run for a 9-7 victory Friday afternoon at Anderson Field. With the win, the Wildcats improved to 11-8 on the season, while the Tigers dropped to 8-14.
Shortstop
Elijah Maris set the tone immediately, launching a solo home run in the top of the first inning to ignite a three-run opening frame.
Wyatt McClory followed in the second with a two-run blast and later added a second homer in the fourth, finishing the day 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Camden Oram (2-0) earned the win for Linfield, working seven innings and allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking none. Closer
Colton Ouellette recorded the final four outs to notch his third save of the year, navigating a tense ninth inning after Occidental trimmed the deficit with a solo homer from Nicholas Gonzalez.
Nick Holm paced the Linfield lineup with a 3-for-5 performance, including an RBI double in the first. Left fielder
Rylan Gullard added three hits and an RBI and catcher
Tyler Marr came through with a two-run double during Linfield's three-run seventh that extended the Wildcats' lead to 9-5.
Occidental kept pace early, scoring three runs in the second and adding solo home runs from Logan Rooney and Gonzalez. Tigers designated hitter Thomas Munch led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, including a two-run double in the second.
Despite being outhit 14-12, Occidental couldn't overcome Linfield's timely extra-base hits—six in total, including four doubles and two home runs.
NEXT
The series continues on Saturday with a double header between the Wildcats and Tigers at Anderson Field. Game one is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start.
