Ninth inning proves costly for Stags

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps baseball team held a 3-0 lead through the first eight innings of play in game one of its three game series with Redlands but gave up four in the ninth to fall 4-3.

Each team was strong defensively through the first five innings. CMS allowed only two hits through that stretch with three 1-2-3 innings.

Freshman third basemen Ryan Motter (CMC) accounted for all three outs in the top of the fifth, including a great catch on a low, hard hit lineout from Rainier Aguilar.

In the top of the sixth, Redlands left fielder Nick Sampson ripped a ball to the middle of the infield, but starting pitcher Nick DeGallier (CMC) made a great play to snag the ball out of mid-air as it zipped past the mound. DeGallier proceeded to strike out the next Bulldog hitter for his second strikeout of the game.

CMS was the first team to get multiple men on base in the same inning in the bottom of the sixth when Motter was walked and advanced to third on senior shortstop Jack Witte's (CMC) single to right field. Sophomore left fielder Chase Eller (CMC) was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs, and senior first baseman MacKenzie Menthen (CMC) was walked to score the first run of the game. Sophomore center fielder Trey Smith (CMC) doubled to left, scoring two more but relief pitcher John White struck out three straight Stag batters to end the inning.

The Bulldogs' offense came alive in the top of the ninth. With their first two hitters on base, Christopher Scalisi drilled an RBI double and Christian Conci sacrificed to center, scoring another. The game was tied when pinch runner Kyle Kabeary advanced to third a wild pitch and scored on a Stag throwing error. DeGallier was eventually pulled in favor of sophomore John O'Malley (CMC), but Redlands took the lead on a safety squeeze and managed to hold on in the bottom of the ninth for a 4-3 victory.

Despite the loss, DeGallier gave up only two earned runs in 8.1 innings of work with two strikeouts and only one walk.

Redlands relief pitcher Aguilar earned the win with Adam Stead picking up the save.

The series will continue April 16 with a doubleheader at Redlands beginning at 11 a.m.

By Tony Steege
Sports Information Assistant

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