After a successful weekend that saw 53 runs scored during the California Classic, the Bulldog baseball team welcomed defending NCAA Champion Kean University (NJ) to The Yard for a non-conference showdown.  During an offensive showcase by two high-quality teams, a late scoring effort by the Cougars resulted in a tough 6-9 loss for the Bulldogs.

Looking to notch his seventh victory of the season, junior pitcher Nolan Nicholson (Fullerton, CA) opened the game on the mound for the Bulldogs.  Senior second baseman Billy Lavelle (Phoenix, AZ) kick-started the Redlands offense with a lead-off walk in the first inning, followed by a stolen base to move into scoring position.  Sophomore catcher Jefre Johnson (Canby, OR) drove him home with a deep double to right center to put the Bulldogs on the board.  On the next play, Redlands capitalized on a KU error to score another run for a comfortable lead through the first three innings.

In the fourth, the Cougars battled back and acquired three runs off of Nicholson to take the lead.  After scoring two more runs, KU appeared in control, but the Bulldogs clawed their way back in the bottom half of the fifth to tie the game at 5-5.  Much like the opening inning, Lavelle sparked the Redlands’ bats with a lead-off single and corresponding steal of second base.  Johnson garnered his second RBI of the game, bringing Lavelle home off of a single through the right side.  However, a base-running error resulted in a pick-off just before a towering home run by graduate student first baseman Brian Schumaker (shown in photo; Encinitas, CA), resulting in only one run by the Bulldogs.

During the sixth inning, Redlands gave up two runs to fall behind but enjoyed a short-lived comeback when junior third baseman Tony Stutevoss (Portland, OR) scored in the bottom of the inning.  Unfortunately, a tough Cougar relief crew quieted the Bulldog bats, ending in a three-run loss for Redlands.

Johnson led the way offensively with two RBI, while Schumaker and freshman designated hitter Brandon Owashi (San Diego, CA) provided one each.  Lavelle boasted two runs scored and two stolen bases while going 2-for-3 from the plate.

Bulldog baseball (14-7, 4-2 SCIAC) begins the California Invitational on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. with a rematch against Rutgers-Newark (NJ).  On Friday, Redlands welcomes Eastern Connecticut State University to the Yard for a 2:30 p.m. game before concluding the tournament on Saturday against Franklin & Marshall College (PA) at 10 a.m. and Wesleyan University (CT) at 2:30 p.m.