WHITTIER, Calif. -- Matt Churchill's strong offensive performance not enough, as Loggers drop their first game of the season to Whittier. 

How it Happened
Kellen Krebs got the Log rolling in the first inning, singling down the left field line to get on base. He was left stranded, though, as the Loggers turned it over to Charlie Decker on the bump. The Poets capitalized on an error in the bottom of the inning, scoring an unearned run to make it a 1-0 ball game. Puget Sound bounced right back, as a Kahiau Teruya lead-off double got a runner in scoring position in the second. Isaac Fendel drew a walk, and with two outs, Charlie Deggeller brought Teruya home. 

Decker then struck out the side in the bottom of the second, and a Matt Churchill solo home run in the third gave the Loggers a 2-1 lead. Decker pitched well again in the third, even striking two out in the fourth to help Puget Sound retain a 2-1 lead. Churchill came in clutch again, singling in the top of the fifth inning to bring home Deggeller. 

The Loggers got into a bit of trouble in the bottom of the fifth, but a bases-loaded fly out maintained the Loggers' lead. The bottom of the sixth proved to be the difference maker in this game, as the Poets captialized with two outs. Decker gave up a lead-off home run to make it 3-2, and after getting two outs, the Poets piled on three more runs. 

The Loggers responded by loading the bases in the top of the seventh, as Preston Crockett and Churchill both singled to get on the base pads. A Krebs walk put runners around the horn, but a Ryan Spero fly out ended the inning. The Poets tacked on runs in the seventh and eighth innings, making the final score 7-3. 

What Happens Next
The Loggers still have a chance to win the series, as the teams play a doubleheader tomorrow, February 21st. The games are scheduled to start at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm.