SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –
Brendan Talonen struck out a career-high eight batters and the Oregon Tech offense hit a pair of homers, as the Hustlin' Owls claimed a 9-3 victory in the finale of a 4-game series at No. 13-ranked Westmont College.
Matthew Ortiz and
Tyler Horner each posted four-hit days – as Tech (3-4) dropped today's opener, 5-2, before the win in the nightcap. It was the highest ranked opponent the Owls have defeated since a 2018 win over No. 7-ranked Lewis-Clark State.
"As tough as it was at times this weekend, we needed this moment," said OIT head coach
Jacob Garsez. "If we are going to earn the right to play out our vision, we need to have been faced with hard times and given the opportunity to grow. We got better every game this weekend."
The Owls never trailed in today's win, as Horner roped an RBI double and Ortiz delivered an RBI ground out in a 2-run first inning. Horner extended the lead to 3-1 in the third with his first home run of the season and Ortiz made it 4-2 with a fifth inning RBI single. Tech broke the game wide open with a 5-run seventh, as Ortiz doubled home a run and transfer
Matthew Lehrbach smashed a 2-run homer.
It was enough for Talonen, as the righty limited the Warriors (9-2) to three hits in five innings, allowing just one earned run in picking up the victory.
Riley Cronin retired 6-of-7 batters to pick up his third save of the young season.
One big blast was the difference in the opener, as Parker O'Neill hit a first inning grand slam to pace the Westmont attack. OIT starter
Cody Dubray settled down, allowing just three hits in six innings, striking out five.
OIT made it interesting in the ninth – as RBI singles from Ortiz and
Bryce Petrilla put the tying run at the plate – but Carlos Moreno got the final two outs to close out the contest.
"For 15 of the 16 innings today, we completed well on the mound," Garsez said. "We need to clean up some things defensively – but we've had only two full practices on a field. This team can be very athletic on the defensive end and we'll make that progress quickly.
Tech continues their 20-game season-opening road trip next weekend with a 4-game series at Division II Saint Martin's.
