CMS Baseball Battles to Extras at Redlands, Halted in 10th Inning Tied 8-8

REDLANDS, Calif. -- The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps baseball team battled with Redlands until the 10th inning when the game was halted due to darkness with the score 8-8 on Friday at The Yard in Redlands.

The Stags opened the scoring in the top of the third inning when Kevin Nakahara launched his first home run of the season and second of his career to give the Stags a 1-0 lead through three innings. The Stags added to their lead in the top of the fourth when Marco Castillo hit a two-run home run over the left-field fence, his second of the season and fourth of his career, and extended the advantage to 3-0 at The Yard. 

Redlands responded and cut the lead to one run, 3-2, in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-run double by Jonah Advincula.

Zach Clarke put the Stags up by three runs with a solo home run, his first of the season and sixth of his career to extend the advantage back to three, 5-2 going to the bottom of the fifth.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs cut the score closer, scoring one run on one hit after Max Smyley opened the frame with a double down the left-field line. Smyley advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a ground out to second by Anthony Acosta to cut the Stags' lead to two runs, 5-3 through five innings. 

The Bulldogs grabbed their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth when they scored three runs on a fielder's choice from the bat of Advincula and a single through the right side by Sammy Diaz to push Redlands in front by one run, 6-5. 

CMS bounced back with three runs in the top of the seventh to take an 8-6 lead over Redlands. Castillo doubled with the bases loaded driving in three runs to cap his five-RBI performance and give the Stags back a two-run lead going to the home half of the inning. 

Cal Bridges singled up the middle with one out in the bottom of the seventh and drove in two runs to tie the game, 8-8 and that at-bat would force extras. Neither team could scratch across a run as the Stags best chance to break the tie came in the top of the 10th after Brandon Rho led off the fame with a double to right field but pinch-runner Carson Bridges was picked off and the threat was neutralized. 

Henri Levenson, Nakahara, Clarke, and Castillo had a two-hit game. Castillo drove in five runs with a double and a home run. Clarke drove in two runs with his first homer of the season as did Nakahara who hit his first homer of the season to produce his one RBI. Starter Justin Hull tossed 6.0 innings, allowing three earned runs and recording two strikeouts. Jarrett Korson was solid in relief as he tossed 3.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts and surrendering just two hits.  

The Stags will be back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader on the schedule against Redlands with the first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. at Arce Field.