Devan DeRaad (senior) hit a home run in back-to-back games as Occidental (13-5) took on Cal Lutheran University (7-6) Feb. 24–25. In the first game of the series, DeRaad dominated at the plate, hitting a home run and a double while drawing 3 walks, propelling Occidental to a 12-6 victory.
Occidental struggled the following day as they traveled to Cal Lutheran for an exhausting double-header. Despite the team’s struggles, DeRaad was individually impressive hitting a 3-run home run and scoring another run in the tough 12-7 loss. DeRaad later explained that by treating every at-bat as a blank slate, he is able to continue his personal success even when the team is struggling.
In the third and final game of the series, DeRaad had a single, a walk and his only strikeout of the series in his 3 at-bats in this game.
DeRaad hopes to hang onto his hot bat after a strong start to conference play. He currently places in the top 15 players in the SCIAC in batting average, RBI and home runs.
Away from baseball, DeRaad is an environmental science major and is also an Occidental Weekly staff member.
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