The University of Redlands baseball team used outstanding pitching to edge Menlo College on Friday in Orange, defeating the Oaks, 2-1, in the Chapman Invitational.

Both teams remained scoreless in the first four innings before Menlo took a 1-0 lead off of a Robbie Nelson home run.

Redlands answered back in the sixth as a throwing error to start the inning proved detrimental to the Oaks’ chances in the end. Junior catcher Jefre Johnson (Canby, OR) reached on a throwing error by the third baseman, and sophomore designated hitter Manny Cardeiro (San Diego, CA) laced a single to right field to move Johnson over to second. Head Coach Scott Laverty pinch ran sophomore outfielder Brandon Owashi (San Diego, CA) for Cardeiro, and his speed paid off as Owashi advanced to second on a bunt single by senior outfielder Corey Vane (Simi Valley, CA). Senior outfielder Jordan Snider (Temecula, CA) punched a single up the middle as Johnson and Owashi would come around to score to put the Bulldogs on top, 2-1.

Neither team would tally a hit the remainder of the game, and the Maroon and Gray went on to beat Menlo for the second time this season. Redlands downed the Oaks, 7-3, on March 13 as a part of the California Classic.

Senior pitcher Nolan Nicholson (Fullerton, CA) garnered the victory for the Bulldogs as he scorched the Menlo lineup. Nicholson allowed just one run on three hits in seven innings of work while striking out four. Coming out of the bullpen, senior pitcher Kevin Bissell (Orange, CA) and sophomore pitcher Derek Johnson (Canby, OR) held Menlo hitless. D. Johnson saved his ninth game of the season, which ranks among the top closers in the country.

Matt Simpson was the tough-luck loser for the Oaks as he pitched a complete game, surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits.

Redlands (23-13, 12-6 SCIAC) faces host Chapman University tomorrow for an 11 a.m. contest.