PASADENA, Calif. – The Caltech baseball team completed the successful weekend sweep on Saturday, defeating Southern California Leadership University in both games of the weekend doubleheader. The Rhinos proved to be no match for the Beavers in both games losing 3-2 in game one and 10-0 in seven innings for game two.
 
Game One was the much closer matchup and was a battle for the Beavers. Scoring didn't get started until the fourth inning, when third baseman Mark Hu got the Beavers started with a single. Following a walk from designated hitter Aidan Hamner, the Rhinos pitcher lost control of the zone. A couple of wild pitches would result in Hu making his way around the diamond to put the Beavers up 1-0 after four.
 
In the fifth inning, Caltech would add some insurance runs. After two quick outs, centerfielder Jack Fishel got a two-out rally started by being hit by a pitch. Fishel stole second, advanced to third on the next throw (an error on a pickoff attempt by Parker), and was only 90 feet away from another run.
 
Rightfielder Thorsen Kristufek drove Fishel in with a double, putting Caltech ahead 2-0. Kristufek also tested his luck on the base paths, but this time the catcher threw the ball into left field as he was stealing third base, easily allowing Kristufek to score the Beavers' third run.
 
Three runs proved to be enough for the Beavers but the Rhinos did not give up without a fight. Second baseman Yawvum Acaaol tripled and left fielder Amari Riley drove him home with a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-1. In the top of the ninth inning first baseman Anthony Willis drew a walk and after back-to-back strikeouts, the Rhinos were down to their last out. Back-to-back singles scored Willis and it was a one-run ballgame for pitcher Michael Wolfson who grounded out back to the pitcher to end the game.
 
Beavers held on to win and a huge piece of it was due to the great pitching by starter Joseph Pieper and reliever Lucas Favretto. Pieper went 5.2 innings striking out eight batters and allowing zero runs giving him his first win of the season. Favretto shut this game down throwing 3.1 innings striking out 4 and picking up his first collegiate save
 
Game Two involved more offense and a great pitching performance from the Beavers. Only one hit was allowed through the seven innings of the game by starting pitcher Kenji Farrell and reliever Quinn Hartman. Farrell went five innings with seven strikeouts, one walk, and only allowed one hit. As for Hartman, he threw 2 hitless innings, walking two batters, and allowing no runs.
 
Offensively, the Beavers showed up with seven out of the nine starters reaching base at some point in the shortened game. Leadoff hitter and centerfielder Fishel led the way going 3-4 with three singles as well as stealing two bases. William Minatel also had a great game reaching base all four times he came up to the plate. The Beavers as a team only managed eight hits in game two, but scored 10 runs partially due to the poor defense of the Rhinos who put up a four-spot in the error column.
 
With the win, the Beavers now sit at 3-0, a mark that has never been reached in program history. Kevin Whitehead and the Beavers will look to continue their great start to the season on Friday, Feb. 14 against the University of Chicago for a weekend series. First pitch on Friday is set for 2 p.m., with a doubleheader to follow on Saturday.
 
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