LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Despite scoring first, the Lewis & Clark baseball team could not overcome the Occidental Tigers on Saturday afternoon at Anderson Field, falling 9-3. The Pioneers fall to 1-3 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 4-3.

Senior Michael Ball put the Pioneers on top in the first inning with a solo shot to left field. Occidental answered back in the bottom half of the inning with a double to right center from Stephen Hilliard that scored Kevin Ozaki. Hilliard stole third before coming around to score with the next Tiger at bat, putting Oxy up 2-1.

Sam Holman evened the game at 2-2 in the top of the second, leading the inning off with a double to left field. Holman came around to score on a single to center from Roland Greene.

After a scoreless third inning, Occidental got their bats going in the fourth inning, platting four runs. The Tigers tacked on runs in the fifth and sixth to take a 8-2 lead.

Parker Dane earned back a run for the Pioneers in the top of the seventh inning with a solo homerun down the left field line. Occidental earned the run back in their half of the inning, picking up the 9-3 win.

Ball ended the game 2-for-4 for the Pioneers.  For the Tigers, Van Fudge was 2-for-4, scoring three times.

Freshman Mike Hathaway took the loss for the Pioneers after pitching six innings of action. Matt Malott earned the win for the Tigers.

The Pioneers return to action on Friday, Feb. 18 when they open home action with a 2 p.m. game against Oregon Tech.