The No. 23 University of Redlands baseball team continued Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play on Friday afternoon by facing off against the Chapman University Panthers on the road in Orange. Despite grabbing an early two-run lead, the Bulldogs were unable to hang on to the advantage en route to a 3-7 defeat.
Redlands etched the first runs of the game on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning by throwing up a two-spot to set the tone. After senior left-fielder Mitch Samson (Orangevale, CA) and junior center-fielder Christian Conci (San Mateo, CA) led off the inning with consecutive walks, junior second baseman Christopher Scalisi (Woodland Hills, CA) poked a single through the right side to score Samson. Senior right-fielder Christian Gurrola (Torrance, CA) followed suit with a single up the middle to score Conci, handing the Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage.
Sophomore hurler Felix Minjarez (Riverside, CA) was awarded the start and was flawless through his first two innings of work by retiring six-consecutive Panther batters with ease.
Unfortunately, Chapman was able to plate five runs over the next three innings to hand Redlands a 2-5 deficit.
The Maroon and Gray trimmed Chapman's lead to four in the top of the seventh inning, as Samson stepped into the box and barreled a double down the left-field line to plate junior catcher Kyle Wallau (San Mateo, CA).
Although the Bulldogs chipped away at the lead in the latter innings, the Panthers managed to extend their lead by plating two more runs in the game, resulting in the Bulldogs' 3-7 loss.
Samson highlighted the offensive efforts by going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Scalisi and Gurrola each recorded RBI-knocks as well.
Minjarez picked up the loss after tossing six innings and allowing five runs off eight hits.
Redlands stranded eight runners on base despite smacking eight hits.
The Bulldogs (17-9, 10-6 SCIAC) complete the three-game series against the Panthers in SCIAC-doubleheader action on Saturday, April 2, at home at The Yard. Game times are set for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.