LOS ANGELES, Calif – Whitworth's offense exploded for 20 hits on the opening day of the 2024 baseball season, defeating Occidental 18-2 at Anderson Baseball Field on Friday in a game called after eight innings due to darkness.

Whitworth (1-0) earned the opening day win while Occidental fell to 3-3 overall on the season.

The Pirates' bats started the game hot and never slowed. The Bucs were able to score in seven of the eight frames. Whitworth's offensive highlights included Elijah Tanner's four-for-five day at the plate, and home runs from both Henry Zaske and Aaron Clogston. Five Pirates were able to record a multi-hit game, while Clogston, Zaske, Aiden Morrison and Jacob Doughty led the Bucs with three RBIs apiece.

The Tigers scored their only two runs of the game in the sixth inning after an RBI single from Lou Martineau and a groundout RBI from Jeffery Cambra. Occidental's offense recorded six hits total in the game.

Umpires officially called the game after the top of the ninth inning due to darkness.

Pirates' starting pitcher Hunter Dryden (1-0) started the season right where he left off in 2023, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and recording seven strikeouts. Connor Ashworth threw three innings of relief and gave up one earned run with four strikeouts.

Declan Sklut (2-1) started on the mound for the Tigers and took his first loss of the season. Sklut pitched 4.1 innings and allowed seven runs on 11 hits. Occidental used four relievers to finish the game.

The Bucs will play a double header on Saturday against Occidental to complete the weekend series. First pitch of game one is slated for 11:00 AM.