The University of Redlands baseball team wrapped up the California Invitational on Friday and Saturday, winning two out of three games against non-conference opponents.  After a tough 9-10 loss to Eastern Connecticut State University on Friday, the Bulldogs capitalized on a newfound energy to rattle off back-to-back wins on Saturday, taking down Franklin & Marshall College (PA), 4-3, and Wesleyan University (CT), 14-7.

In his first career start, freshman pitcher Steven Dryden (Highland, CA) gained valuable experience on the mound against ECSU.  In three and two-thirds innings, he only allowed three earned runs but errors by the Redlands defense cut his appearance short.  Entering the bottom of the sixth down by six runs, the Bulldogs began a valiant comeback with strong batting and solid pitching.  Senior Ryan Seifert (Big Bear, CA) and freshman Corbett Clarke (Mountain View, CA) combined relief efforts on the mound while the Bulldogs took advantage of four Warrior errors.  Highlighted by two RBI each from senior designated hitter Luke Wetmore (Santa Cruz, CA) and senior second baseman Billy Lavelle (shown in photo; Phoenix, AZ), Redlands put together a four-run eighth inning to pull within one.  Despite runners in scoring position, the Bulldogs failed to overcome a tough call by the officials, leaving two on base in the bottom of the ninth.  In addition to Wetmore and Lavelle, junior right fielder Corey Vane (Simi Valley, CA) and junior left fielder Kyle Rizzo (Redlands, CA) provided two RBI apiece.

The Bulldogs entered Saturday’s two-game set determined to end the program’s longest losing streak since the 2005 season.  In his second career start, sophomore pitcher Michael Lessig (Fountain Hills, AZ) effectively shut down Franklin & Marshall for seven innings.  After giving up a run in the first, the Bulldogs evened the score in the bottom of the second off of a triple by Vane followed by an RBI-triple by senior third baseman Chase Beatty (Ramona, CA).  Redlands took the lead with a two-run showing in the fourth but the Diplomats stormed back with two runs in the top of the sixth.  After being walked, Lavelle advanced to second on a ground out and then came home for the winning run as sophomore catcher Jefre Johnson (Canby, OR) provided an RBI-single up the middle in the seventh inning.   Overall, Johnson led the Bulldogs with two RBI, going 2-for-4 from the plate with a triple. Lessig allowed just two earned runs while striking out eight and boasting a five-inning stretch of shutout pitching.  Freshman Derek Johnson (Canby, OR) garnered the save.

In the final game of the invitational, Redlands called on reliable starter junior Nolan Nicholson (Fullerton, CA) to close out the weekend on a high note.  Bouncing back from a tough previous outing, the team’s staff ace lasted seven innings, giving up four earned runs while gaining seven strikeouts.  Tied at two apiece, the Bulldogs blew open the game in the sixth inning with an eight-run explosion, highlighted by graduate student first baseman Brian Schumaker’s (Encinitas, CA) fourth home run of the season.  Redlands added three additional runs during the next inning and capped off the day with an insurance run in the ninth.  Due to his towering three-run blast, Schumaker led the way with three RBI, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.  Vane, Wetmore, and sophomore shortstop Zack Braband (Alameda, CA) added two RBI each.

Bulldog baseball (16-9, 4-2 SCIAC) resumes Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play this weekend with a three-game set against defending champion Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.  Redlands kicks off the series at Claremont on Friday at 3 p.m. and then returns home to the Yard on Saturday for a doubleheader at 11 a.m.