After winning the opening game of the first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) series of the 2014 campaign, the University of Redlands baseball team fell in both contests to the University of La Verne on Saturday, dropping the series in the process. The Bulldogs fell behind quickly in the early game, resulting in a 7-18 to the Leopards, while stumbling in the rubber-match, 2-3.
The Bulldogs surrendered six runs to the Leopards in the first inning, but responded with four of their own in the top of the third frame to cut the deficit to just two. In that offensive explosion for the U of R, senior center-fielder Alex Scheiwe (Encinitas, CA), sophomore third baseman Mark Tumlinson (Anaheim, CA), junior catcher Sean McMillan (Redwood City, CA), and freshman first baseman Kyle Wallau (San Mateo, CA) all registered RBI.
La Verne, however, scored nine runs in the bottom half of the third, putting Redlands in too large of a hole to climb out of. The game would eventually end in seven innings. Both Scheiwe and McMillan recorded two hits and an RBI in the loss, while freshman left-fielder Christopher Scalisi (Woodland Hills, CA) also tallied a pair of base-knocks and an RBI.
In the nightcap and all-important third game of the series, the Maroon and Gray once again fell behind early, giving up three runs in the opening frame.
Then, after loading the bases in the next inning, the Bulldogs got on the board when junior shortstop Jordan Dresner (Etiwanda, CA) earned an RBI via a base-on-balls. The U of R would not be able to capitalize with the bases loaded, however, and would only get one run in the frame.
Scheiwe notched a key RBI in the top of the seventh to cut the deficit to just one for the Bulldogs, but Redlands would not score again, resulting in the tough one-run defeat.
After surrendering the trio of runs in that opening frame, U of R freshman pitcher Nate Richards (Seattle, WA) settled in and went seven solid innings, dispersing seven hits in the process. Additionally, all three of the runs allowed were unearned.
Once again, Scheiwe and Scalisi led the way at the plate with two hits apiece.
The Bulldogs (1-7, 1-2 SCIAC) compete again on Tuesday, February 18, when they take on the University of British Columbia. First pitch in this exhibition contest at The Yard is scheduled for 2 p.m.
