Junior pitcher Michael Lessig (Fountain Hills, AZ) held his own in six innings on the mound for the University of Redlands baseball team, but Chapman University used formidable offensive production in the late innings to bury the Bulldogs, 13-6, on Saturday in Orange.

Chapman, despite playing in the friendly confines of its home field, Hart Park, suited up as the visitors while Redlands acted as the home team as a part of the Chapman Invitational.

The Panthers obtained an early lead when it scored three runs on three hits to give Chapman a 3-0 advantage. In the bottom half of the inning, senior outfielder Kyle Rizzo (Redlands, CA) utilized his patience at the plate, drawing a walk. He then stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and finally scored on junior shortstop Zack Braband’s (Alameda, CA) infield single.

In the home half of the second, senior outfielder Jordan Snider (Temecula, CA) capitalized on a series of miscues by the Panther defense, initially reaching base on a throwing error by the shortstop. He moved to second on the throw, took third on a passed ball and then found his way home following a wild pitch.

Redlands posted two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, giving the Bulldogs a 6-2 lead.

Senior outfielder Corey Vane (Simi Valley, CA) and Snider both singled to start off the fourth, and senior second baseman Evan Dunn (Portland, OR) plated them with a double to center. In the fifth, Rizzo motored home on a groundout while senior first baseman Matt Goldstein (Lincoln, CA) crossed on an erroneous throw by the shortstop.

Lessig held the Panthers in check in the fourth, fifth and sixth as he allowed no hits during that span.

Chapman tacked on one run in the sixth, and Head Coach Scott Laverty relieved Lessig at the inning’s end following six innings of service.

The flood gates opened up in the eighth for the Chapman bats, however, as the Panthers went up, 7-6, after plating three runs on two hits and an error.

Redlands could not answer in the bottom of the inning, and Chapman poured on six additional runs in the ninth to seal the victory.

Rizzo and Snider went 2-for-4 at the plate, and the duo racked up two runs apiece.

Lessig struck out five in his six-inning stint on the mound and did not receive a decision on the afternoon. Senior pitcher Kevin Bissell (Orange, CA) was tagged with the loss after surrendering three runs on two hits in 1.2 innings of action.

Matt Irsfeld gained the win for the Panthers, lasting seven frames while surrendering six runs on six hits while striking out three. John Semel pitched two innings and was credited with the save.

Redlands (23-13, 12-6 SCIAC) looks to rebound tomorrow as it competes in its final Chapman Invitational game when it contests Cal State East Bay at 10 a.m. in Orange.