In what turned out to be the final game of the 2014 campaign for the University of Redlands baseball team, the Bulldog bats did not supply enough production at the plate en route to a tough 2-14 seven-inning defeat against the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Tuesday afternoon. In order for the Bulldogs to have extended their season, they needed to register a victory over Pomona-Pitzer in addition to seeing both Occidental College and the University of La Verne falter.
Playing on the road, the Maroon and Gray did jump on top in the first inning, and junior right-fielder Connor Hancock (Burbank, CA) got things started when he laced an RBI single through the right side. After stealing second and then advancing to third on a groundout, he came in to cross the plate when junior first baseman Sean McMillan (Redwood City, CA) ripped an RBI single to right field.
The Bulldogs then doubled their lead in the second inning, and this time senior designated-hitter Max Hardman (Encinitas, CA) led off the frame with a double down the right-field line. After advancing to third on a groundout, Hardman came in to score when senior catcher Joe Bell (Bakersfield, CA) singled to second base.
Unfortunately for Redlands, the bats quieted down over the next five innings, not scoring another run. During the remainder of the contest, Bulldog pitchers surrendered a six-run frame and a five-run inning along with three other dispersed runs, ultimately resulting in the 12-run loss.
As a team, the Bulldogs notched eight hits while allowing 15. At the plate, Hardman led the way individually with a pair of hits and one run scored, while Hancock finished 1-for-3 at the plate with the other run scored.
Redlands ends the 2014 season with a 15-23 overall record and a 14-14 mark during conference action. The Bulldogs finish tied for fifth place in the final regular-season Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) standings, just missing out on a spot in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament.