After getting rained out on Friday, the University of Redlands baseball team took on Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) foe, Chapman University, in a doubleheader on a chilly Saturday at The Yard. The Bulldogs battled to consistently keep the score close, but eventually fell short by one run in each game by final scores of 7-8 and 2-3.
Junior pitcher Felix Minjarez (Riverside, CA) took the mound for the opening game of the doubleheader and was immediately tested when the Panthers roped a double down the left-field line with a runner on first and one out. But as the runner rounded third, junior left-fielder Kyle Kabeary (Indio, CA) relayed it to junior third basemen Brendan Gardiner (Mission Viejo, CA), who threw a strike to senior catcher Kyle Wallau (San Mateo, CA) for an awesome play at the plate to keep Chapman off the board.
However, the Panthers went on to score in the top of the third to go up 3-0 with only one out. Minjarez quickly regrouped and fanned the final two batters of the frame.
Working from behind, Redlands attempted the comeback in the bottom of the third. Kabeary singled through the left side, as senior center-fielder Christian Conci (San Mateo, CA) dinged a double to right field to easily score Kabeary from first.
With Redlands still trailing by two runs in the bottom of the fifth, Kabeary got things started by sending a single up the middle. With two outs, junior right-fielder Jordan Babbitt (Highland, CA) ripped a double down the right-field line for an RBI to slowly chip away at the deficit.
Just an inning later, freshman first basemen Andrew Renteria (Van Nuys, CA) and Gardiner found their way on base by way of a hit-by-pitch and a walk. Wallau stepped up to the dish to drive a single to left field, plating Renteria to equalize the score at 3-3.
But the Panthers tacked on two runs in the seventh while the Bulldogs added only one to continue the tight contest.
After junior hurler Adam Stead (Rialto, CA) stepped on the hill to take over the Maroon and Gray's pitching duties in the eighth, the Panthers increased their lead by three to stretch their advantage to 8-4.
With time running out, the Bulldogs knew they had plenty of work to do. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, junior short stop Will Hall (Seattle, WA) knocked a single, before sophomore Brendan Moore (Murrieta, CA) answered the call as a pinch-hitter for a single down the right-field line. With pressure mounting, Kabeary stepped into the box and stayed balanced as he launched a home run to left center to put the Bulldogs within one at 7-8.
Unfortunately for the home team, the Bulldogs' offensive momentum stopped there, as the score remained 7-8 through all nine innings.
Following a quick 30-minute turn-around, the Maroon and Gray hoped to change the outcome in the second game of the doubleheader.
Senior hurler Michael Collins (Upland, CA) was handed the pearl to start the night cap, with Wallau behind the dish.
Again, the top of the third proved to be a lucrative inning for the Panthers, as they put up two runs on Redlands.
Senior second basemen Christopher Scalisi (Woodland Hills, CA) led off the top of the fourth in a big way by doubling down the right-field line. Redlands kept up the pressure, with junior designated hitter Joey Warner's (Indio, CA) walk and Kabeary's bunt single to load the bases. Next up, Gardiner remained patient at the plate, also drawing a walk, which allowed Scalisi to touch home from third. However, Chapman pulled off an unusual triple play to end the inning and stymie the Maroon and Gray's offensive surge.
The Panthers took advantage of a Redlands error in the field to tack on another run in the top of the fifth.
Soon after, in the bottom of the fifth, sophomore short stop Aaron Singh (Anaheim, CA) roped a double down the right-field line, which was followed by a Conci single. With two outs and two runners on, Scalisi was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Warner remained calm and cool at the plate, and drew a walk, allowing Singh to walk in from third to make it a one-run game at 2-3.
Chapman put in a new pitcher in the bottom on the sixth while Redlands senior John White (Burbank, CA) took over pitching duties in the top of the seventh. Both pitchers cruised through the last few innings, with neither allowing a run, which ultimately led to the Bulldogs' 2-3 loss.
Redlands (3-5, 0-2 SCIAC) looks to immediately regroup as it takes on in-region opponent Whitworth University (WA) in a non-conference tilt up on Monday, February 20. First pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m. at the Yard.
