Lewis-Clark State (46-3) took the lead in the top of the first as Brian Gaylord led off with a walk and Brian Burke launched a two-run home run to left field, his 16th home run of the season. Seattle University cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first when Cullen Hendrickson (Auburn, Wash.) hit his fourth home run of the year, a solo shot over the fence in right field.
Kawika Emsley-Pai led off the top of the second inning with a home run to right field, but Seattle U came within one run again in the bottom of the inning as Josh Kutz (Seattle, Wash.) drew a two-out walk and scored on a double by Nick Latta (Tacoma, Wash.). The Warriors would regain their two-run lead in the third inning as Pat Murray scored on a groundout by Bryson Tajiri.
The Redhawks cut their deficit in half again in the fifth inning, as Latta singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, reached third on a single by Doug Buser (Orinda, Calif.), and scored when Lewis-Clark State could not notch an out on a ground ball hit by Nate Roberts (Silverdale, Wash.). Tajiri would score in the top of the sixth inning to reestablish the Warriors' two-run advantage at 5-3.
Josh Kalalau (University Place, Wash.) and Bryndon Ecklund (Elma, Wash.) hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning to bring Seattle U within one run for the fourth time. After relief pitcher Tim Stuvland set down the next two batters, Latta sent a single into right-center field, scoring Ecklund and tying the game.
Josh Ashenbrenner walked to lead off the seventh inning, and Brandon Kizer (Marysville, Wash.) was brought in to replace Redhawk starter Max Whieldon (Trabuco Hills, Calif.). With one out, Burke doubled to right-center field, scoring Ashenbrenner. The Warrior lead was short-lived, as Buser led off with a single, advanced to second when a pickoff attempt by Stuvland sailed high, reached third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch.
After a scoreless eighth inning, Ashenbrenner led off the ninth with a single and advanced to second on a groundout. Burke was intentionally walked, and Jake Eccles, who came on as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the eighth, doubled down the left field line, driving in Ashenbrenner with the go-ahead run. A sacrifice fly by Emsley-Pai brought in Burke with an insurance run.
Buser led off the bottom of the ninth with a single up the middle and advanced to third on consecutive groundouts. Kalalau kept the inning alive with a single to center field that scored Buser and brought the Redhawks within one, but Henry Buenrostro struck out Ecklund on three pitches to end the game.
Buenrostro earned the victory, pitching 2 1/3 innings in relief and allowing four hits and one run while striking out two batters. Kizer picked up the loss, giving up three hits, a walk, and two runs in three innings of work. Whieldon allowed eight hits, two walks, and six runs in six innings along with three strikeouts.
Buser, Kalalau, and Latta each finished with three hits for Seattle U, while Ecklund contributed two hits in the game. Burke went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three runs batted in, and Ashenbrenner and Emsley-Pai notched two hits apiece for the Warriors.
Seattle University (7-32) will look for a split of the two-game series Saturday, May 8, beginning at 1 p.m. at Bannerwood Park. For live stats and live audio, fans can go to GoSeattleU.com.