REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Baseball team opened up a three-game series with Chapman University Friday afternoon at The Yard and despite staying close early, was unable to get the offense going as they fell 11-1.
The Maroon and Grey see their winning streak end at five games as they drop to 11-8, 2-5 SCIAC. It was only a two-run deficit at 3-1 through six innings thanks to outstanding pitching from starter Andrew Rueter (San Diego, CA) and reliever Jakob Russell (Fontana, CA). But in the seventh the wheels fell off as Chapman would put up five runs that opened the game up before tacking on another three in the eighth, which put the game out of reach.
The Panthers struck for two in their opening at-bats coming on two outs thanks to an RBI double and an RBI single. They then added another run in the 4th to extend the lead to 3-0, but stalled there allowing the Bulldogs to get back into the contest. The lone run of the game for UR came in the 5th, which cut the deficit to two. Luke De Vries (Irvine, CA) started the inning off with a single up the middle before stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Jared Anderson (Gilbert, Ariz.) then stepped in with a two-out base knock into left field putting the Bulldogs on the scoreboard.
In the sixth the Bulldogs threatened getting the leadoff batter on thanks to Mark Kirkland (Redlands, Calif.) who drove one to left. He was able to get into scoring position after a throwing error by the pitcher, but was unable to come in as the next three Bulldogs would get retired.
The Panthers big five-run seventh was close to not happening after Anderson and Max Smyley (Sarasota, FL) teamed up to turn a line drive on the infield into a double play putting the first two outs of the frame on the scoreboard. But the Panthers would still rally putting up the five-spot on six hits highlighted by a three-run shot from Sellman to right field.
Redlands' offense tied for their lowest hit total on the season with six, tied for their second lowest total for extra-base hits with one, tied a season-low with two walks drawn, and scored a season-low one run. On the mound they allowed a season-high 20 hits and tied a season-high with two home runs allowed.
Individually the Bulldogs got hits from Anderson (1-for-4, RBI), Jonah Advincula (Santa Clara, CA| 1-for-4, triple), Kirkland (2-for-3, walk), Matthew Brumbaugh (Chula Vista, CA| 1-for-4), and De Vries (1-for-2, walk, stolen base, run).
Rueter picked up the loss and drops to 1-2 after going 4.0 Innings giving up three runs on ten hits, while striking out four.
Redlands wraps up the series with Chapman University tomorrow, Saturday, March 26 with a doubleheader. First pitches set for 11:00am and 2:30pm.
