REDLANDS, Calif. - The Whittier College
baseball team scored seven runs in the top of the seventh inning
and brought the game winning run to the plate in the top of the
ninth but it wasn't enough in avoiding its 10th straight loss as
the University of Redlands scored a combined seven runs in the
final two innings to take a 10-9 decision on Saturday afternoon.
The Poets (10-22, 4-9 SCIAC) trailed 3-1 through six innings
before they took an 8-3 lead through its own half of the seventh.
Anthony Cappelletti picked up a pair of runs
batted in as he hit a two-out double to right field that scored
Reed Tuttle and Taylor Fallon.
Michael Benavente and Austin
Straus each earned an RBI the hard way as they were hit by
pitches on consecutive at bats that brought in Andrew
Vallajo and Cappelletti, respectively.
John Fugazi kept the inning alive as he brought
in a pair of runs and Ryan Crawford's double down
the left field line scored the final run of the inning for the
Poets.
Redlands cut the lead to 8-5 as they plated two runs in the
bottom of the seventh inning and the Bulldogs took the lead for
good with a five run eighth inning to lead 10-8 headed into the
ninth.
Starting pitcher Justin Armijo exited the game
prior to the start of the eighth inning. He allowed five runs (four
earned) on eight hits and struck out five batters in seven innings
of work.
Mike Rueda and Casey Serna
came in relief and allowed a combined five runs on two hits and
three walks.
Whittier had its chances in the ninth inning. Straus
reached on a fielder's choice after Benavente reached on an error.
Straus was thrown out as he attempted to steal second base.
John Fugazi kept Whittier alive with a two-out
double. Spencer Lanoue then brought in Fugazi with
a pinch-hit RBI single but the Poets left the tying run stranded on
first base as Ian Bablewski went down on strikes.
Tuttle had a three hit afternoon while Cappelletti and Fugazi
each recorded a pair of hits.
The Poets and Bulldogs continue their weekend series tomorrow,
April 19, at Memorial Field with a doubleheader. The first pitch of
Game 1 is slated for an 11 a.m. start.
