The University of Redlands baseball team battled back to defeat the visiting Leopards of the University of La Verne on Friday to open the final Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) series of the season with a win.  After trailing by as many as six runs, the Bulldogs dug deep to tie it up and eventually snag the 9-7 win on a walk-off home run by junior shortstop Max Smyley (Sarasota, FL).

Through the first five innings, the pitchers' duel had the score knotted at one apiece, as junior hurler Andrew Rueter (San Diego, CA) was dealing for the Bulldogs.

But in the top of the sixth, La Verne broke out the bats to put up a crooked number for a 5-1 lead. The momentum stayed with the Leopards in the top of the seventh, as they extended their lead to 7-1.

Nonetheless, the Bulldogs refused to go away and strung together solid hits and heads-up baserunning against the struggling ULV bullpen.  With runners on second and third, first-year second baseman Jared Anderson (Gilbert, AZ) roped a bases-clearing double to left-center to cut the Leopards' lead nearly in half.  Two pitching changes later, the Bulldogs had the bases juiced.  Graduate student designated hitter Anthony Acosta (Simi Valley, CA) and junior catcher Matthew Brumbaugh (Chula Vista, CA) each found room in the outfield for back-to-back singles to quickly make it 6-7.

A leadoff, solo shot from junior center fielder Payton Walsh (Santa Ana, CA) tied up the score and set the stage for an exciting comeback for the Bulldogs.

In the top of the ninth, senior right fielder/pitcher Cal Bridges (Fremont, CA) worked his magic from the mound to close the door on the Leopards with a pair of strikeouts and a pop fly. 

With two outs and a runner on in the bottom of the frame, Smyley sent the game-winning hit over the left-field fence for another exciting finish for the Maroon and Gray.

Smyley finished the day with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate with three runs and two RBI.  Anderson added two hits, two RBI, and one run, while Brumbaugh stepped up with a two RBI.

Redlands (5-7, 5-5 SCIAC) heads to La Verne to battle it out with the Leopards in a doubleheader at 11 a.m.  Fans may follow along via the Livestream.