CLAREMONT, CA. – The Pomona-Pitzer men's tennis team braved through the chilly weather and cold winds to cruise to a comfortable 7-2 victory over Bates College on Thursday night at Pauley Tennis Complex, improving to a 5-1 record overall.

The Sagehens seized the doubles round 2-1 over the Bobcats to gain an early advantage. Kalyan Chadalavada and Jed Kronenberg put their opponents to work in No. 1 doubles, winning their match 8-4. Jack Bernstein and Sam Gearou combined for an 8-4 win in No. 3 doubles, making solid hits from the baseline and capitalizing on their opponents' mistakes. Unfortunately for the Sagehens, Josh Gearou and Marko Mandic lost their No. 2 doubles match 8-5.

Octave Bellet coolly sealed No. 3 singles with a pair of 6-2 sets, frustrating his opponent with slices. Sam Malech also won his matchup in No. 5 singles with two 6-2 sets as well, while Josh Gearou took care of No. 2 with 7-5 and 6-3 victories. Over in the battle of the aces, Jed Kronenberg won the first set 6-1, but was taken to tiebreaker in the second set. The freshman prevailed to win No. 1 singles with a 7-4 win in the tiebreaker to take the final set 7-6. Sam Gearou lost his No. 6 single matchup with Vidyut Yadav, falling 7-6 (5) and 6-3. Marko Mandic bounced back with a three-set victory, coming back from a 6-3 loss in the first set with 6-2 and 6-4 victories.

Up Next: The Sagehens will host Brandeis University on Saturday, February 24 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Azusa Pacific University.