NOTE: Due to the threat of rain, the baseball game between Seattle University and the University of Washington scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, at Husky Ballpark at 6 p.m. has been postponed. The crosstown rivals are now set to play Wednesday, May 5, starting at 6 p.m. Live audio for the game will still be broadcast on GoSeattleU.com.
THE CHALLENGE AHEAD: The Seattle U baseball team makes the short trip to Montlake for the third of three games this season against the University of Washington. The Redhawks have come close to defeating the Huskies in each of the previous two meetings and look to break through Wednesday night. This weekend, Seattle U returns to Bannerwood Park and welcomes the top team in the NAIA right now, perennial power Lewis-Clark State.
THE BYU/PORTLAND SERIES: Seattle University was able to enjoy the experience of the walk-off win in back-to-back games last weekend. Thursday night, Seattle U and BYU engaged in a 16-inning marathon before Mike Malland laced the first pitch he saw into right field for a single that drove in Nate Roberts to give the Redhawks a 3-2 victory. The pitching was the story for Seattle U, as four pitchers combined to hold a BYU team averaging seven runs per game to two runs in 16 innings. Brandon Kizer started for the Redhawks, allowing seven hits, one walk, and two runs in 8 2/3 innings with two strikeouts. Kizer was replaced by Max Whieldon, who pitched 2 1/3 innings without giving up a hit. Joey Pulitano came on in the 12th inning and posted his best performance of the season, allowing just three hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings while striking out two batters. Bryan Dalton relieved Pulitano, ended the Cougar rally, and gave up just one hit in 2 1/3 innings to earn the victory. Friday afternoon, the Redhawks came from behind, scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat BYU, 8-7. Josh Kalalau led off the inning by reaching on a BYU error and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Back-to-back walks drawn by Riley Tompkins and Roberts loaded the bases. Josh Kutz laced a single through the left side to score Kalalau. Phil Parrish sent a shot up the middle for a single, scoring both Tompkins and Roberts to tie the game at 7-7. Doug Buser followed with a single down the left field line, bringing in pinch runner Steve Kirbach with the winning run to clinch Seattle U's first back-to-back victories of the season. However, Portland would come in and post back-to-back victories, starting with a 16-9 decision Friday night. Saturday afternoon, three Portland pitchers combined to shut out the Redhawks, 6-0, allowing only six hits in the game.
SCOUTING WASHINGTON: The Huskies come into Wednesday's game with a 24-19 overall record. They improved their home record to 9-10 and their Pac-10 record to 8-7 with a three-game sweep over nationally-ranked Stanford over the weekend, including a 15-inning 4-3 victory on Sunday, the longest game in Husky Ballpark history. As a team, Washington has compiled a .281 batting average, a 5.35 earned run average, and a .969 fielding percentage with 51 errors in 43 games. Offensively, Jacob Lamb leads the way with a .360 batting average, plus he has 12 doubles, two home runs, 26 runs batted in, and 15 walks. Pierce Rankin is the only Husky to start every game this season, posting a .278 batting average with a team-high 13 doubles, seven home runs, and 31 runs batted in. Caleb Brown is another player to watch, hitting. 298 with six doubles, three triples, three home runs, 23 runs batted in, 22 walks, 12 times hit by a pitch, and eight stolen bases. Adrian Gomez started the previous two games against Seattle U and currently has a 3-1 record with a 4.22 earned run average. Jacob Clem is 3-3 with five saves and a 3.02 ERA, while Adam Cimber is 5-2 with six saves and a 4.50 ERA.
SCOUTING LEWIS-CLARK STATE: The Warriors are currently 43-3 and the number one team in the NAIA baseball coaches national poll. Lewis-Clark State is on a 12-game winning streak heading into Monday's contest against Oregon Tech, plus it has home games against George Fox Tuesday and Wednesday before coming to Bannerwood Park to face the Redhawks. The team's three losses have come against Concordia, Saint Martin's, and British Columbia. As a team, the Warriors have posted a .330 batting average, a 2.58 earned run average, and a .961 fielding percentage with 71 errors in 46 games played. At the plate, Brian Gaylord leads the way among the regular players with a .384 batting average and 21 doubles. Brian Burke is the hitter to watch for the Warriors, batting .380 with 68 hits, including 16 doubles and 15 home runs, and 61 runs batted in. No pitcher has more than one loss, with Tyler Knigge earning an 8-0 record with a 2.25 earned run average and a team-high 55 strikeouts in 44 innings. Henry Buenrostro has nine saves to go along with a 4-0 record and a 1.45 ERA.
WEATHER FORECAST: According to The Weather Channel, showers should end by Wednesday evening with temperatures in the low 50s. Back in Bellevue on Friday, weather looks good, with partly cloudy skies both Friday and Saturday. Friday night's temperatures should be in the 50s, with Saturday warming up to the low 60s by game time.
SEATTLE U VS. WASHINGTON: After a 24-year hiatus, the crosstown rivalry was renewed on March 23 at Bannerwood Park. Two big hits by Washington, a two-run home run from Pierce Rankin in the fourth inning and a two-out, two-run double by Troy Scott in the eighth inning allowed the Huskies to pull out a 5-2 victory. Riley Tompkins drove in both Seattle U runs on sacrifice flies, while Cullen Hendrickson and Nate Roberts each earned two hits for the Redhawks. One week later, these two teams met at Husky Ballpark. Washington jumped on the board in the first inning when Andy Smith drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, reached third base on a hit by Jacob Lamb, and scored on a groundout from Rankin. The Huskies added another run in the second inning as Aaron Russell hit a double, stole third base, and scored on a single by Chase Anselment. After scoring the third run of the game in the third inning, Washington broke the game open with three runs in the fourth inning, aided by two SeattleU errors. Seattle U scored two runs in the fifth and two runs in the seventh, with Roberts driving in three of those runs, to come within two at 6-4. Josh Kalalau hit a solo home run in the ninth to bring the Redhawks within one, but consecutive strikeouts and a fly out allowed Adam Cimber to pick up his sixth save of the season.