Redding, Calif. – Oregon Tech (3-1) used lights out pitching on the hill to clinch a series victory over the Simpson Red Hawks (1-5) on Sunday afternoon. After giving up a 10-0 lead yesterday, Tech allowed only three runs across 18 innings on Sunday in a much-improved effort.
Following the games, head coach Jacob Garsez said: "It is good to start the year off with a series win. Our guys have put in quality work, and you could clearly see our culture displayed on the field and in the dugout. This season is going to take all of us, and we did a good job taking ownership in our roles. Great to see our offense produce to that caliber. Our staff competed with conviction; this week, we'll get everyone dialed in to compete."
Game Three: Oregon Tech 11 Simpson University 3
After a tough loss in game two yesterday, Tech came out on fire in game three, scoring eight runs across the first three frames.
The Hustlin' Owls used a mixed bag of ways to score, plating runs on a wild pitch, sacrifice fly, ground out, error, and walk.
After plating runs off Simpson's mistakes, Brodie Marino struck gold, launching a ball over the fence for a three-run HR.
Leading 8-1, Tech grabbed insurance runs in the 5th inning when Dalton Daily sent one deep, followed by Marino, who launched his second of the day.
With a big lead, Tech relieved Jacob Miller of his duties on the hill in the 6th inning.
Miller had a solid debut to his 2022 campaign, throwing six and allowing only two earned runs on six hits, with no walks and six strikeouts. Miller also picked up his first win of the season.
Alex Bratton would come in for Tech and toe the rubber in Miller's place.
The freshman threw three innings to close the game, allowing one run on two hits while striking three batters out.
Tech was led at the plate by Marino, who was 2-for-4 with five RBIs and two runs scored.
Connor Caporale was charged with the loss on the hill for the Red Hawks. The junior threw just 2.2 innings, allowing six earned runs on three hits while striking out five batters.
Game Four: Oregon Tech 2 Simpson University 0
In contrast to the rest of the games in the series, in-game four, runs were at a premium for both sides.
Playing in a shortened seven-inning game to end the weekend, OIT scored two runs in the third inning, which were enough to grab Tech their third win of the season.
In the third inning, Tyler Horner went yard, plating himself and Kaleb Keelean to put his team in front.
With a slight lead, Cody Dubray threw lights out in a near-perfect start to his 2022 season.
Dubray threw all seven innings, allowing no runs on three hits, no walks while striking out 14 batters. Dubray also picked up the win for Tech, his third of his career, improving his all-time record in decisions to 3-0.
For Dubray, Sunday's outing matches the longest and by far the best appearance to his four-year career at Oregon Tech.
Tech got out-hit by Simpson in game four, but Horner's HR and Dubray's solid pitching proved to be enough for the Hustlin' Owls.
Horner led Tech at the plate, going 1-for-2 with his 2-run HR.
The loss on the hill was charged to Eric Winchester, who threw a great game as well. The junior for Simpson threw seven innings, allowing two runs on two hits, giving up three walks while striking out 12.
Oregon Tech will return to action next week when they travel to Lincoln, CA, to face off against William Jessup (4-1) in a four-game series. The last time the two teams faced off, William Jessup won a two-game series to start the season last year.
