The University of Redlands baseball team took to the diamond for an in-region doubleheader against the No. 17 Pacific Lutheran University (WA) Lutes in Tucson, AZ. The Bulldogs dropped two to the Lutes by the final scores of 14-23 and 4-5, due in part to all-around inconsistency.
The Bulldogs got off to a rough start in the top of the first inning after allowing a two-out, three-run homerun. However, senior third baseman Mark Tumlinson (Anaheim, CA) answered back in the ensuing half-inning by barreling a two-out RBI-double to right-center, plating senior left-fielder Mitch Samson (Orangevale, CA) and sophomore designated hitter Joey Warner (Indio, CA) to trim the deficit to 2-3.
Despite throwing up a six-spot in the bottom of the fourth inning and scoring a combined six runs in the final two frames, the Bulldogs failed to climb out of a deep hole en route to a 14-23 defeat.
Junior second baseman Christopher Scalisi (Woodland Hills, CA) went 3-for-6 with two RBI and three runs scored, while Tumlinson drove in three RBI after going 2-for-5. In addition, Samson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Senior hurler Kevin Stevens (Highland, CA) picked up the loss.
In game two, the Bulldogs dusted off their uniforms in attempts to take the night cap with senior starter Michael Collins (Upland, CA) leading the charge on the mound. Collins was very effective early by tossing up zeros in the opening two innings that included one strikeout.
Redlands struck first with the bats in the top of the first inning, compliments of a Scalisi single through the left side, scoring Samson, who reached on a hit-by-pitch. The Bulldogs added another run in the top of the third inning when Warner smacked a sacrifice line-drive out to center field, plating Samson once again for a 2-0 lead.
After the Lutes tied the game up, they came knocking on the door once again in the bottom half of the fourth inning. With the bases load and two outs, Scalisi made a highlight-reel diving stop to his glove-side that found him parallel with the diamond, helping to preserve a tie ball game and wiggle out of the jam.
Pacific Lutheran continued to challenge the Bulldogs in the bottom of the fifth by tossing up a three-spot to push the score to 5-2.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs remained relentless at the dish by plating two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Sophomore shortstop Will Hall (Seattle, WA) led the inning off with a single up the middle and promptly stole second. He continued to advance to third on an errant throw by the Lutes' catcher, putting him in prime scoring position. Senior center-fielder Nathan Bowker (Edmond, OK) came up clutch and poked a single through the left side to score Hall shortly after. Scalisi backed the RBI-single with one of his own, scoring Samson to trim the deficit to 4-5.
The Lutes came knocking once again after leading off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double. Senior reliever John Keane (Clayton, CA) hopped on the hill and quickly slammed the door by fanning two batters to preserve the one-run deficit.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were unable to gain any more ground, thus resulting in a 4-5 loss.
Scalisi was a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish with two RBI and a flawless fielding percentage. Hall and Bowker, who make up the final two batters of the line-up, combined for a 4-for-7 night with two runs scored and an RBI.
Collins picked up the loss after tossing six innings and striking out two. Keane chucked a perfect two frames while fanning two batters.
The Bulldogs (2-2) take on the No. 14 Linfield College (OR) Wildcats for the second time in three days at 8:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m MST) on Sunday, February 14.
