The University of Redlands baseball team completed the three-game series against the Caltech Beavers by hosting the doubleheader on Sunday at the Yard due to yesterday's rainout in Pasadena. Playing as the visiting team, the Bulldogs completed the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) sweep with a 13-1 seven-inning win in the opener and a 10-2 decision in the night cap.
Redlands jumped out to an early 5-0 lead with a productive second frame in the first game that included heads-up plays on the base-paths and timely multi-bag hits. With the bases loaded, senior third baseman Mark Tumlinson (Anaheim, CA) touched home on a wild pitch after reaching on a walk. Junior catcher Kyle Wallau (San Mateo, CA) put the ball in play to trigger a Caltech error, which scored senior first baseman Ryan Franklin (Manhattan Beach, CA). Sophomore shortstop Will Hall (Seattle, WA) crossed home plate on the subsequent fielder's choice, which set up junior right-fielder Christian Conci's (San Mateo, CA) RBI-triple that plated senior left-fielder Mitch Samson (Orangevale, CA). Junior second baseman Christopher Scalisi (Woodland Hills, CA) joined the offensive party by lacing a double to center field for the Bulldogs' fifth run of the inning.
The Bulldogs kept Caltech off the scoreboard while allowing only one hit through four innings due in part the effective arm of senior pitcher Michael Collins (Upland, CA). He threw a total of six frames while fanning six batters in the win from the mound.
The Maroon and Gray kept its foot on the offensive pedal by putting up a six-spot in the top of the fifth, which played out very similarly to the second inning. With runners on first and second, Wallau tapped an RBI-single to left center, allowing Franklin to score. Samson notched an RBI on another fielder's choice, as Hall crossed home plate. Conci forced another Caltech error, which provided two runs for the Bulldogs, before Scalisi singled to plate Conci. Gurrola uncorked a double down the left-field line to cap off the solid inning for Redlands.
After Caltech scored once, the Bulldogs finished out the game with a 13-1 win in seven innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.
Hall finished the game with a 2-for-3 showing at the dish that included two runs scored and one RBI. Scalisi and Wallau also notched two hits apiece, while Conci led the team with three RBI.
Senior reliever John Keane (Clayton, CA) lifted Collins in the seventh and pitched effectively for that final inning.
During the night cap, Redlands put up another five-spot in the top of the second stanza and later closed out the game with a three-run showing in the eighth. During the earlier inning, the Bulldogs fired off back-to-back doubles, with sophomore left-fielder Kyle Kabeary (Indio, CA) trading places with Hall for two RBI. Freshman shortstop Aaron Singh (Anaheim, CA) uncorked an RBI-single, while Scalisi stepped up with a sacrifice fly. Gurrola completed the strong start to the game with his RBI-single up the middle.
Although Caltech answered with two runs in the bottom of the third, Redlands continued to do work on defense and at the plate, earning a 7-2 advantage through seven frames.
The eighth inning saw new contributors step up for the Maroon and Gray, with sophomore left-fielder Nick Ono (Yorba Linda, CA) blasting an RBI-single to right center, which allowed Singh to score from second base. With runners on second and third, sophomore pinch-hitter Joey Warner (Indio, CA) connected on an RBI-single, which forced a Caltech pitching change. Gurrola took advantage of opportunity with a single down the right-field line to plate Tumlinson, leading to the Bulldogs' 10-2 victory.
Senior pitcher Kevin Stevens (Highland, CA) put together a solid showing from the mound to earn the win after five innings. He struck out five and scattered five hits. Redlands gained great relief from the bullpen, as sophomore Noah Jones (San Bernardino, CA), sophomore Adam Stead (Rialto, CA), and junior John White (Burbank, CA) finished out the remaining innings without giving up a hit or a run.
Singh impressed from the dish with his 3-for-4 day that included three runs scored and one RBI. Kabeary, Scalisi, and Gurrola each recorded two RBI for the Bulldogs.
Redlands (20-11, 13-8 SCIAC) heads to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges for the opening game of the three-game set against the Stags on Friday, April 15, at 3 p.m.
