The University of Redlands baseball team defeated the University of La Verne, 7-2, in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game on Friday afternoon in Redlands.

Redlands jumped out to a 2-0 lead early and never relinquished the advantage.

The momentum swung completely into the Bulldogs' favor during the fourth inning as they plated three to go up 5-0. With two outs and none aboard, sophomore second baseman Chase Tucker (Poway, CA) reached on a bunt single and then advanced to second off of an errant throw by the catcher. Senior shortstop Zack Braband (Alameda, CA) then doubled to right field, driving in Tucker, before scoring in the ensuing at bat when senior centerfielder Will Wetmore (Santa Cruz, CA) smacked a single to left center. Wetmore, who reached second on La Verne's attempted throw to the plate to catch Braband, eventually touched the dish himself following a double by junior leftfielder Brandon Owashi (San Diego, CA). In just four at bats, the Maroon and Gray more than doubled its previous tally, and that frame proved to be the difference in the contest.

La Verne answered in the sixth as Victor Peinado jacked a two-run bomb over the left-centerfield fence.

Redlands would go on to push two more across in the eighth to spell out the final score.

Senior pitcher Michael Lessig (Fountain Hills, AZ) earned the starting nod on the hill and went six innings. He struck out three while allowing just two runs, which proved effective enough to garner the win.

Sophomore pitcher Brock Jacobo (Yuma, AZ) came out of the bullpen and tossed three scoreless frames. His performance, which included one surrendered hit, one walk and one hit batsman, warranted the save.

Matt Baudino went 6 1/3 innings for the Leopards on the mound and shouldered the loss. Baudino surrendered five runs and allowed 10 hits.

Defensively, the Bulldog infield turned three double plays.

At the plate for Redlands, Owashi led the way, going 3-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored. Wetmore, senior catcher Jefre Johnson (Canby, OR) and Braband all compiled multi-hit performances as well.

Redlands (5-1, 3-1 SCIAC) meets up with La Verne (2-4, 0-1 SCIAC) tomorrow at Ben Hines Field in La Verne for a SCIAC doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to commence at 11 a.m.