The University of Redlands baseball team headed to Cal Lutheran University on Saturday morning for a doubleheader in Thousand Oaks. In two very close contests, the Kingsmen managed a walk-off win in game one before the Bulldogs held on to a one-run victory in the nightcap, splitting the games, 2-3 and 6-5.
The Bulldogs struck first in game one in the top of the second as junior catcher Matthew Brumbaugh (Chula Vista, CA) laced a single to center. He subsequently stole second and made his way to third and then home on two passed balls for a 1-0 Redlands advantage. However, CLU matched the run in the bottom of that inning on two hits.
In an evenly matched game, both teams managed one baserunner in the third, fourth, and fifth innings and went three-up, three-down in the sixth. Redlands had another opportunity in the seventh with a base on balls but could not capitalize on the baserunner. Junior pitcher Cameron Kundig (Redlands, CA) pitched for three groundouts in the bottom of the seventh to put Redlands back on offense quickly.
Similar to the first, the Bulldogs added a run in the top of the eighth, but the Kingsmen matched it in the bottom of the inning. First-year second baseman Jared Anderson (Gilbert, AZ) knocked a single up the middle and advanced to second on the next batter. Anderson was sent home on senior designated hitter Anthony Acosta's (Simi Valley, CA) single to deep right-center.
The Kingsmen scored on a one-out, bases-loaded walk to keep the bases loaded for the next batter. But the Bulldog defense executed a nice double-play to end the inning and limit the CLU damage to just one run.
Neither team could score in the ninth, sending the game into extras. Unfortunately, Cal Lutheran tacked on the game-winner in the bottom of the 11th for a tough, 2-3, Bulldog loss.
Redlands scored early and often in game two and although CLU added runs late in the game, solid pitching and stealthy defense held on to the 6-5 victory.
In the top of the first with one out, sophomore left fielder Jonah Advincula (Santa Clara, CA) knocked a double back up the middle. Acosta then laced a single through the right side and with speed on the basepaths, Advincula scored from second. Sophomore catcher Omar Barraza (San Mateo, CA) capped off the scoring with an RBI single to right for a 2-0 Bulldog advantage.
Redlands continued the scoring in the second. Anderson singled before Advincula drew a walk. Acosta continued to impress with a double down the left-field line to plate Anderson. The Maroon and Gray added one more on a sacrifice fly. However, the home team cut the deficit in half on two hits for a 4-2 Bulldog advantage after two.
But that score didn't last long as the Bulldogs added a single run in the third and fifth innings for a 6-2 score. Junior center fielder Payton Walsh (Santa Ana, CA) and senior right fielder Joey Wozniak (San Diego, CA) were credited with the RBI's while sophomore designated hitter Max Clark (Etiwanda, CA) scored both runs.
Although Cal Lutheran added three runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh, strong pitching and reliable defense held on to the 6-5 lead through the eighth and ninth to ultimately secure the one-run victory.
Senior Trevor Smith (Coronado, CA), Brumbaugh, first-year Nicholas Rohen (San Diego, CA), and senior Brennen Carr (Chino Hills, CA) combined efforts from the mound as Brumbaugh was credited with the win with three K's while Carr snagged the save.
Redlands baseball (1-4, 1-2 SCIAC) returns to The Yard on Friday, April 16, for a single game against Chapman University at 3 p.m.