THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The University of Redlands baseball team (14-14, 8-5 SCIAC) opened the scoring in the first inning thanks to an Ian Umscheid (Beaumont, CA) RBI double, but that was the final run of the game for the Bulldogs as they lost on the road, 2-1, at California Lutheran University (CLU).
Tyler Barsness (Palm Desert, CA) led off the game with a single to left before Umscheid drove him in. The next three batters, though, struck out, grounded out, and flew out to right.
The Maroon and Grey did not have another hit until the fourth when Nate Miller (San Jose, CA) had a one-out single. He turned it into a double after stealing second where he would get left stranded.
The Bulldogs' best opportunity to add to their 1-0 lead was in the fifth when an error and hit by pitch put two Bulldogs on base. But a line out to short, however, ended the threat.
After holding the Kingsmen to only three hits through six innings, CLU then managed two in the seventh and drew a walk, which led to the game-tying run, which came on an RBI double. Tanner Currier (Brawley, CA) extinguished the fire with a pair of ground outs.
With the game still tied at one heading into the bottom of the ninth, CLU singled and advanced the runner into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Following an intentional walk, their five-hole hitter found the hole on the right side and the winning run came around to end the pitcher's dual, 2-1.
Joe Godoy (Los Angeles, CA) started and went five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and only two hits allowed. Currier threw the sixth and seventh innings before Gavin Duenez (Redlands, CA) worked the last two with three strikeouts but was saddled with his first loss.
Redlands and California Lutheran will play a doubleheader Saturday morning at The Yard with first pitch set for 11:00 a.m.
