The University of Redlands baseball team took on the Cal Lutheran University Kingsmen in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) doubleheader on Saturday at The Yard. Despite dropping the first game 7-10, the Maroon and Gray battled back to take game two with an 8-6 decision.
Senior pitcher Michael Collins (Upland, CA) took the ball for the first game. Cal Lutheran caused some trouble for Collins in the first inning, as the Kingsmen put up a crooked number for an immediate lead.
Redlands battled back in the bottom of the inning by leading off with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and third. Following a deep sacrifice fly that scored a run, junior catcher Rainier Aguilar (San Bernardino, CA) stepped up to the plate and launched a home run to left field for two RBI.
The home team was able to add another run in the second when junior right-fielder Kyle Kabeary (Indio, CA) tagged up from third and raced home off of sacrifice fly.
After junior pitcher Adam Stead (Rialto, CA) lifted Collins in the sixth with two outs, he cruised through the seventh by retiring the side with impressive determination.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs worked to load the bases with two outs in hopes of creating a late-inning rally. Aguilar was due up next and sent a ripping single to center field, plating two runs. Junior designated hitter Jordan Babbitt (Highland, CA) followed with an RBI-single of his own to put Redlands on top by a score of 7-6.
Unfortunately for the home team, the Kingsmen clawed their way back in the top of the eighth to gain a 9-7 advantage and then added one more in the top of the ninth, resulting in the Bulldogs' 7-10 loss.
With the three-game series split, Redlands desired to come out on top of the rubber match in front of the home crowd.
Head Coach Aaron Holley looked to senior pitcher John Keane (Clayton, CA) to stifle the Kingsmen at the plate in game two. He went three-up, three-down, in not only the first but the second and third innings, while fanning four in the process.
Kabeary singled to lead off the third inning, which was followed by senior third basemen Christopher Scalisi (Woodland Hills, CA) reaching on an unsuccessful fielder's choice. Both runners moved over on a successful double steal to set up a prime scoring opportunity. Aguilar, yet again, remained calm at the plate and sent a deep sacrifice fly for an RBI. After an out, senior centerfielder Christian Conci (San Mateo, CA) doubled down the left-field line for an RBI before sophomore shortstop Aaron Singh (Anaheim, CA) blasted a single to center field for another run and the Maroon and Gray's 3-0 advantage.
The fifth inning provided another big offensive outburst for the Bulldogs, as they added four runs off of three hits, two walks, and two hit-by-pitches. The Maroon and Gray had already scored two when the bases were loaded for Scalisi, who singled through the left side for two more RBI.
Redlands tacked on another run in the eighth inning for an 8-0 advantage.
The Kingsmen continued to battle by putting up a four-spot in the top of the seventh. Junior hurler Noah Jones (San Bernardino, CA) took over for Keane to secure the final two outs in the seventh.
After Cal Lutheran threatened in the top of the ninth by stringing together hits for another two runs, Jones quickly regrouped and forced the next two Kingsmen to fly out while securing the 8-6 win in a thrilling fashion.
The Bulldogs (9-9, 5-4 SCIAC) take a break from SCIAC play by hosting the Schreiner University (TX) Mountaineers on Monday, March 12, at The Yard. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.
