Harder Scores Big Win To Lead Boxers In Raiders' Rematch
ASHLAND, Ore. –
Eric Harder's (So., Bethesda, Md.) star continues to rise as he notched his biggest victory of the season to lead Pacific in a 41-6 loss to No. 2 (NAIA) ranked Southern Oregon Saturday in men's wrestling action at Bob Riehm Arena.
Harder improved to 23-10 on the season, holding on in the third period to beat No. 4 ranked Miguel Baltazar in an 8-7 decision at 133 pounds. The victory could prove to move Harder up in the rankings after he was listed as a “contender” in last week's D3Wrestle.com weekly poll.
Caleb Malychewski (Jr., Camas, Wash.) earned the Boxers' only other win on the night, taking an easy 7-3 decision over Tyler Thomas in the 184-pound bout. The win moves Malychewski one step closer to 30 wins as he improved to 27-7 on the year.
Unlike when they were beaten by the Boxers in Forest Grove on Jan. 24, the Raiders threw most of their starters into the lineup, including seven wrestlers ranked in the NAIA's top-10. Southern Oregon earned pins from their two No. 1 ranked wrestlers, Mitchell Lofstedt at 125 pounds and Brock Gutches at 174 pounds. Bubba Owens earned a pin at heavyweight, Taylor Johnson took a pin at 197 pounds and Prescott Garner was a winner by fall at 141 pounds.
Pacific will conclude the 2012-13 dual meet season next Sunday as they travel north to Burnaby, B.C., to dual Simon Fraser.
NO. 2 (NAIA) SOUTHERN OREGON 41, PACIFIC 6
125: Mitchell Lofstedt (SOU) win by fall over Daylin Ruggerio (PAC), 2:41 (6-0 SOU)
133:
Eric Harder (PAC) dec. Miguel Baltazar (SOU), 8-7 (6-3 SOU)
141: Prescott Garner (SOU) win by fall over
Ryan Baxter (PAC), 5:23 (12-3 SOU)
149: Jimmy Eggemeyer (SOU) maj. dec.
Will Patrick (PAC), 9-1 (16-3 SOU)
157: Dalton Urruita (SOU) maj. dec.
Dillon Ford (PAC), 10-0 (20-3 SOU)
165: Derek Mestrovich (SOU) dec.
Bruce Balcita (PAC), 13-7 (23-3 SOU)
174: Brock Gutches (SOU) win by fall over
Michael Tyner (PAC), 4:09 (29-3 SOU)
184:
Caleb Malychewski (PAC) dec. Tyler Thomas (SOU), 7-3 (29-6 SOU)
197: Taylor Johnson (SOU) win by fall over
Chris Harlin (PAC), 0:48 (35-6 SOU)
285: Bobba Owens (SOU) win by fall over
Evan Schreurs (PAC), 1:35 (41-6 SOU)
Dual Records: Southern Oregon 12-3; Pacific 6-8
