Bulldog Baseball Defeats Caltech 8-6 in SCIAC Action

Christian Conci drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Photo cred: Beth Doolittle
Christian Conci drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Photo cred: Beth Doolittle

The University of Redlands baseball team continued Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action by facing off against the Caltech Beavers on Friday evening under damp conditions at The Yard. Through perseverance and clutch hitting, the Bulldogs were able to slide past the Beaver in nail-biting fashion to take home an 8-6, weather-shortened victory.

The Bulldogs wasted minimal time on the offensive front by tossing up a crooked number in the bottom of the second inning. Junior catcher Kyle Wallau (San Mateo, CA) got the RBI-train rolling by slapping a single to third base and drawing an errant throw, allowing junior center-fielder Christian Conci (San Mateo, CA) and sophomore designated hitter Joey Warner (Indio, CA) to score. Senior left-fielder Mitch Samson (Orangevale, CA) remained hot at the dish by driving a double down the left-field line, allowing Wallau to cross home. Junior second baseman Christopher Scalisi (Woodland Hills, CA) followed two batters later by lifting a sacrifice fly out to right field and pushing freshman shortstop Aaron Singh (Anaheim, CA) across the dish to cap off a four-run outburst.

The Beavers began to swing the bats well in the top of the fourth inning, putting a three-spot on the board in response. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs answered positively, due in part to a two-RBI double off the bat of Scalisi, which allowed Samson and Singh to score for Redlands' 6-3 lead.

Caltech remained pesky by tying the game at six-all in the top of the seventh inning to put more immediate pressure on the Maroon and Gray.

Redlands rose to the occasion in the bottom half of the seventh inning, as Conci barreled an RBI-single through the left side to score senior third baseman Mark Tumlinson (Anaheim, CA). Singh backed Conci's knock with a sacrifice fly, plating Warner, to regain the Bulldogs' lead at 8-6 and eventually haul in the victory due to poor weather conditions.

Sophomore reliever Adam Stead (Rialto, CA) earned the win after chucking 1.1 innings and fanning three batters. Sophomore hurler Felix Minjarez (Riverside, CA) threw six innings and struck out seven batters.

Scalisi led the way on offense with a 2-for-3 day at the dish that included a double and three RBI. Conci and Tumlinson had two hits each.

The Bulldogs (18-11, 11-8 SCIAC) travel to Pasadena to finish off the three-game set with the Beavers in doubleheader action tomorrow at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., pending the weather forecast. Stay tuned to www.goredlands.com for further information.