The University of Redlands baseball team played its opening game of a four-game stretch in Austin, Texas, on Friday afternoon. In a four-hour contest, the Bulldogs led early but eventually fizzled out in an 11-21 loss to the University of Texas-Dallas.

The Maroon and Gray singled on three consecutive at-bats in the top of the first to load the bases. First-year designated hitter Chris Hardin (San Bernardino, CA) provided another single to right field that gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.  

Despite going down a run after one, the Bulldogs heated up in the top of the third. With only one out and the bases loaded once again, Hardin came away with another timely single up the middle to bring home senior first baseman Brendan Moore (Murrieta, CA) to tie the game at 4-4. On the next at-bat, first-year catcher Sammy Diaz (Palm Desert, CA) took first base on a hit-by-pitch, which sent sophomore right fielder Cal Bridges (Fremont, CA) home for the go-ahead run. With the bases still loaded, senior second baseman Eduardo Martinez-Razo (Rialto, CA) blasted a double down the left-field line to tack on two more scores for a 6-4 Bulldog advantage.

However, the Maroon and Gray endured a tough stretch over the next few innings that led to a 7-19 deficit after six frames.

Redlands regrouped in the seventh with two runs scored on senior shortstop Aaron Singh's (Anaheim, CA) bases-loaded single. The Maroon and Gray scored pushed two more across in the eighth inning, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

For the game, Hardin finished 3-for-5 at the plate and registered three RBI. Moore, Bridges, and Martinez-Razo each finished 2-for-4 at the plate. On the mound, sophomore pitchers Chris Fousek Jr. (San Diego, CA), Nick Hammel (San Diego, CA), and Jake Stewart (El Cajon, CA) sat down three batters apiece.

The Bulldogs (2-5) have another opportunity against UT-Dallas on Saturday, February 16, at 12 p.m. PST.  This game represents the front end of the day's doubleheader, with the second contest pitting the Bulldogs against Concordia University (TX) at 3 p.m.