Bulldogs Bounce Back: Redlands Baseball and Softball Split High-Stakes Doubleheaders
By David James Heiss Redlands News Collective
REDLANDS — It was a Saturday of extremes for the University of Redlands diamond sports. Both the baseball and softball teams suffered lopsided or frustrating opening-game losses before storming back with explosive offensive displays to earn crucial splits in SCIAC play.
Responding to the Run-Rule
Photo by Adrian Williams
Jesse Bullard scored a grand slam.
The University of Redlands baseball team (8-10, 4-2 SCIAC) experienced a polarized afternoon against No. 20 Pomona-Pitzer. After being run-ruled in a 26-2 Game 1 loss, the Bulldogs "returned the favor" in Game 2, crushing the Sagehens 14-2.
In the opener, the Sagehens built a massive 18-0 lead before junior Jesse Bullard (Riverside) homered to center field in the fourth. Senior Ian Umscheid (Beaumont) added a second run following a Sagehen error, but the Bulldogs were held to just three hits. Senior starter Erik Radder (San Diego) took the loss, moving to 1-3 on the season.
The script flipped entirely in the nightcap. After an RBI-single from senior Luke Hanson (Escondido) in the second, the Bulldogs broke the game open with a four-run third and a devastating nine-run fourth. The surge featured a home run by junior Mason Chetcuti (Redwood City), a grand slam by Bullard, and a solo shot from Umscheid.
Chetcuti finished with a four-hit game, while senior pitcher Brett Edwards (Santa Monica) earned the win, allowing just two runs over five innings. Junior Gavin Duenez (Redlands) provided two innings of hitless relief to seal the 7-inning victory.
Records and Rallies on the Softball Diamond
Photo by Kodiak Creative
Brooklyn Bard earned a program stolen base record.
On the softball field, the Bulldogs (11-4, 2-1 SCIAC) mirrored the baseball team’s resilience. After dropping Game 1 to California Lutheran University (CLU) 5-2, Redlands ignited for a 16-8 run-rule victory in the finale.
While the opener was a loss, it proved historic for senior Brooklyn Bard (Long Beach). With a stolen base in the seventh inning, Bard recorded the 106th steal of her career, surpassing Allyson Leslie (2004-07) to become the program’s all-time record holder. Junior Natalie Lopez and junior Leila Gomez (San Bernardino) each went 2-for-3 in the effort, though junior Paige Ellinger took the loss.
Game 2 saw the Bulldogs nearly let a 6-0 lead slip away as the Regals fought back to lead 8-6 heading into the sixth. Facing a potential sweep, the Redlands offense exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Senior Katlyn Gandara (Whittier) tied the game with a two-run double, followed by a game-winning fielder’s choice from junior Jenay Scott (Merced). Freshman Emi Connell (Bellevue, Wash.) kept the pressure on with a two-run double that got lost in the sun. Freshmen Caitlynn Griffith (Pala) earned her second win of the year in relief, while Gomez finished a stellar day with four hits and four runs scored.