Seattle University Baseball Falls to Crosstown Foe Washington, 5-2

In its first game against Washington in 24 years, the Seattle University baseball team showed that it was competitive, but the Huskies picked up two big hits and held on for a 5-2 victory Tuesday night at Bannerwood Park.

Seattle University struck first in the bottom of the second inning, as Josh Kalalau (University Place, Wash.) doubled to left-center field, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on a deep fly ball to center field by Riley Tompkins (Lynnwood, Wash.). That would be the only run given up by Washington starter Adrian Gomez in four innings of work.

Washington (8-10) took advantage of a SeattleU miscue in the fourth inning, as Jacob Lamb reached base on a fielding error, and Pierce Rankin followed with a home run to left field, his second of the season. Redhawk starter Brandon Kizer (Marysville, Wash.) retired the next eight Husky batters before back-to-back walks in the sixth inning ended his night.

Bryan Dalton (Vancouver, Wash.) relieved Kizer and induced a popup to end the sixth. After setting the Huskies down in order in the seventh and getting the first two outs in the eighth inning, Dalton allowed back-to-back singles by Lamb and Rankin to put runners on first and third. Conor Spink (Eagle River, Alaska) came out of the bullpen, but Troy Scott laced a double to left field to clear the bases, and he would score on a single by Andy Smith to give the Huskies a 5-1 lead.

In the ninth inning, Sean Narby (Auburn, Wash.) led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball, and advanced to third on a single to right field by pinch hitter Alex Kuniyoshi (Shoreline, Wash.). Tompkins lifted his second sacrifice fly of the game to score Narby, and Steve Kirbach (Kirkland, Wash.) was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base and bring the tying run to the plate. Washington reliever Adam Cimber notched a strikeout to end the rally and the game.

The Redhawks outhit the Huskies, 9-6, led by two hits each from Cullen Hendrickson (Auburn, Wash.) and Nate Roberts (Silverdale, Wash.). Jacob Clem earned the victory for Washington, pitching three scoreless innings in relief of Gomez. Rankin led Washington with two hits, two runs scored, and two RBI.

Seattle University (3-16) will finish off the six-game homestand against Pacific Lutheran Thursday, March 25, beginning at 4 p.m. Live audio with Dan Giuliani and Drew Samuelson will be available on GoSeattleU.com along with live stats.