Stags unable to tame Tigers in weekend series

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps baseball team (11-10, 5-4) lost two games out of three in its series against Occidental College (16-8, 9-3), dropping the road game on Friday before splitting the doubleheader at home on Saturday. The Stags currently sit in fifth place in the SCIAC standings while the Tigers moved down to third.

The Tigers controlled the opening game of the series on Friday, winning 16-0 in seven innings. Nolan Watson threw a no-hitter, going for seven innings and throwing six strikeouts. Michael Netzel went 3-for-4 for the Tigers with six RBIs and three runs, including two home runs. Bryan Smith also added a homerun for the Tigers.

Leading 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Tigers broke out for a 6-run rally to put the game away.

Game 1 Box Score

The Stags evened out the series in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with a hard-fought 5-3 victory. Junior Chase Eller (CMC) went 2-for-5 with two runs while sophomore Ryan Motter (CMC) had two RBIs and a homerun as the CMS offense handed Josh Cohen his first loss of the season.

Occidental jumped early to a 3-0 lead in the second inning, but senior Evan Opperman (CMC) hit a groundball single through the left side to score a runner from second base, giving the Stags their first run. Freshman Konnor Kwok (CMC) reestablished his control from the mound and held the Tigers scoreless the next three innings.

In the bottom of the fifth with runners on first and third, Motter hit a groundout to third to score in one run. The Tigers managed to get out of the jam, but CMS struck again in the sixth inning when sophomore CJ Novogradac (CMC) hit an RBI single through the left to tie the game. Freshman Cameron Cash (CMC) came in to relieve Kwok in the seventh inning and escaped, stranding runners on second and third with strikeout followed by a line out. He finished the game with the win and four strikeouts.

The Stags finally took the lead in the seventh inning when freshman Henri Levenson (CMC) came in with bases loaded and brought in one run off a fielder's choice. Motter crushed a solo homerun to left center in the eighth inning for insurance. Cash had a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth to seal the victory.

Game 2 Box Score

The second game of the doubleheader did not start out as the Stags have hoped as the Tigers pounced in the second inning to take a 5-run lead. Freshman Brandon Louie (HMC) stepped in relief during the third inning and held the Tigers scoreless for the next three innings.

The Stags scored off a sacrifice fly from Eller to make it 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Tigers took the run back in the sixth after Smith hit a groundout to advance the runner from third base.

The Tigers tried to spark another rally in the seventh inning to extend their lead. With a runner on first, the Tigers signaled for a steal, but Opperman threw him out at second to kill the momentum. Occidental almost rallied again in the eighth inning when the Tigers loaded the bases with two outs, but Louis escaped the jam with a strikeout to keep the Stags within striking distance. Unfortunately, the Stags were unable to heat up at the plate as Occidental held on for the victory.

Game 3 Box Score

CMS will play tomorrow at home to host Williams College at 11 a.m. for its final non-conference match of the regular season.

By Young Kim
Sports Information Assistant

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