The University of Redlands baseball team faced off against the No. 14 Linfield College (OR) Wildcats on Sunday morning in the Bulldogs' final game in Tucson, AZ. Despite defeating the Wildcats on Friday, the Maroon and Gray faltered to a powerful Linfield offense and strong pitching en route to a 3-17 defeat.
After five full innings, the Bulldogs faced a 15-run deficit and hopped into the bottom of the sixth in hopes of putting some runs on the board. Senior designated hitter Kevin Stevens (Highland, CA) did just that by launching a two-run dinger, scoring sophomore left-fielder Nick Ono (Loma Linda, CA), who reached on a walk, to trim the deficit.
Senior pinch-hitter Christian Gurrola (Torrance, CA) continued the Bulldogs' offense in the top of the seventh inning by lacing a two-bagger over the left-fielder's head, plating sophomore pinch-hitter Kyle Kabeary (Indio, CA), who reached by slapping a double down the right-field line.
However, the Bulldogs' comeback effort fell short, resulting in the loss.
Sophomore reliever John White (Burbank, CA) highlighted the pitching efforts for Redlands by striking out the side in one inning of action. Sophomore starter Adam Stead (Rialto, CA) picked up the loss.
Kabeary went 2-for-2 on the day with a single, a double, and a run scored. Stevens led the team in RBI with two of his homerun, while Gurrola plated one.
Redlands (2-3) ventures on to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) competition on Friday, February 19, by welcoming the Whittier College Poets to the Yard at 2:30 p.m.