CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Diamond Gents were able to cut a three-run deficit to one in the middle innings and bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Centenary (7-9) could not catch Pomona-Pitzer (7-2) in a 7-4 loss in California Friday afternoon, March 8.

Down to their final two outs in the ninth down by four, three-straight singles by senior Andrew Russell, sophomore Peyton Cormane, and junior Cody Crowder scored a run and brought the tying run to the plate. However, two strikeouts to end the game gave the Sagehens the win.

The Gents struck in the first when two singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out. Sophomore Preston Ludwick hit a sacrifice fly to score the first run of the ballgame. Later, with the Gents down 4-1, Ludwick tripled and junior Bryce Kozeny hit a sacrifice fly. A two-out single by sophomore Chris Haggard in the fifth brought the Diamond Gents within 4-3.

Crowder and Haggard led Centenary with two hits and an RBI. Crowder also scored twice.

However, Pomona-Pitzer scored six of their seven runs on bases-loaded doubles. With the Sagehens down 1-0 in the second, two walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one out. Jack Damelio followed with a bases-clearing double down the rightfield line. In the sixth with the Sagehens clinging to a 4-3 lead, and after a single, walk, and another hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one out, Jeremy Jess cleared the bases with a double down the leftfield line.

Jake Patterson-Kohout added an RBI single in the third to put Pomana-Pitzer up 4-1.

Sophomore Andy Purpura (0-2) took the loss for Centenary, allowing three hits, four walks, and four runs in two innings of work. Freshman Joshua Gatewood threw two scoreless innings in relief for Centenary, allowing only a walk in the final two innings.

Tyler Yoshihara (3-0) picked up the win for the Sagehens, allowing seven hits, four walks, and three runs while striking out five in six innings of work.

Centenary returns to action Saturday, March 9, with a doubleheader at Redlands. First pitch of the doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. (11 a.m. PST).