WHITTIER, Calif. – The University of Redlands Baseball team opened their final series of the season at Whittier College Friday afternoon, but saw their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Tournament playoff hopes come to an end as they would fall 6-5.
Redlands moves to 20-16, 10-11 SCIAC and needed a clean sweep over Whittier on the weekend along with Cal Lutheran dropping all three games against Occidental College for them to have a chance to earn a spot in the upcoming SCIAC Tournament.
The Maroon and Grey opened the scoring up with a two-run shot from Matthew Brumbaugh (Chula Vista, CA) in the bottom half of the first that scored Jared Anderson (Gilbert, AZ), who reached on a base hit to left. But this lead would soon diminish, as Whittier would put up four runs in their opening at-bats, thanks to a pair of triples from Berber and Goodman.
The Bulldogs got within one plating a run in the top half of the second. Max Smyley (Sarasota, FL) and Payton Walsh (Santa Ana, CA) led off the inning with a pair of base hits. An Esteban Nakashima (Riverside, CA) sacrifice bunt would move them both up into scoring position and Jonah Advincula (Santa Clara, CA) would make it a one-run game with a ball on the infield.
In the third Max Clark (Fontana, CA) tied the game up sending a solo shot down the left field line. But this would be the last offense generated by the Maroon and Grey until the eighth inning when UR found themselves down 5-4. They put themselves in a great spot to hang a crooked number on the Purple & Gold getting the first two batters aboard following base hits, but they were only able to bring one across, which was the game-tying run thanks to a 6-4-3 double play put on the infield by Mark Kirkland (Redlands, CA).
This tie didn't last long though as Whittier would get the bases loaded in their ensuing at-bats off a pair of singles and a walk. The Bulldogs looked like they would get out of the inning, but a two-out walk to Guerrero would bring in the eventual game winning run.
Jakob Russell (Fontana, CA) had a rough start on the mound throwing 5.2 Innings giving up five runs on eight hits. Tyler Reiter (San Diego, CA) would come in relief and throw the next 2.1 innings giving up a run on two hits along with two strikeouts. He was charged with the loss and drops to 4-4.
At the plate Redlands was led by Advincula (2-for-4, one run, one RBI), Anderson (2-for-4, one run), and Brumbaugh (1-for-4, home run, two RBIs).
Redlands will close out the regular season with a home doubleheader against Whittier College at The Yard, tomorrow, Saturday, May 7 with first pitches slated for 11:00am and 2:30pm. Prior to Game 1 the Bulldogs will recognize their seniors.