Seattle U struck first thanks in part to control problems from Dallas Baptist starter Jared Stafford, as Trent Oleszczuk (Beaverton, Ore.) was hit by a pitch and Ryan Somers (Sammamish, Wash.) drew a walk. Doug Kincaid (Portland, Ore.) loaded the bases with a bunt single, and Josh Kalalau (University Place, Wash.) followed with a single to left-center field that scored Oleszczuk and Somers, plus advanced Kincaid to third. Kincaid would score the third run of the inning while Kalalau was caught stealing second base.
Dallas Baptist (24-12) responded right away in the bottom of the first, loading the bases in similar fashion to the Redhawks in the top of the inning with a walk, a hit batter, and a bunt single. Back-to-back sacrifice flies by Ryan Behmanesh and Kenny Hatcher brought the Patriots within one run at 3-2 after one inning.
In the bottom of the third, Josh Wilson led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Landon Anderson. With two outs, Jason Krizan launched a 0-1 pitch from Redhawk starter Brandon Kizer (Marysville, Wash.) over the right field wall to give the Patriots a 4-3 advantage.
The home team broke the game open in the fifth inning, as Anderson singled, Tyler Robbins walked, and Behmanesh walked to load the bases with two outs. Hatcher followed with a grand slam home run off Seattle U reliever Max Whieldon (Trabuco Hills, Calif.) to extend the Patriot lead to 8-3.
Seattle U loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning, but only earned one run on a Jace Sloan (Puyallup, Wash.) sacrifice fly that scored Marcelino Morales (Pasco, Wash.). Dallas Baptist responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh as Hatcher earned his sixth RBI of the game with a double that scored Krizan.
Sean Narby (Auburn, Wash.) led off the top of the eighth inning with a home run, but again the Patriots were able to score in the bottom of the inning to reestablish a five-run advantage. Oleszczuk led off the ninth inning with a walk and came around to score on a Sloan double, but a nice fielding play by Patriot relief pitcher Michael Smith on a shot up the middle from Kalalau ended the threat and the game.
After struggling in the first inning, Stafford settled down and completed six innings, allowing five hits, two walks, and three runs while striking out five batters to pick up his fourth victory of the season. Kizer took the loss, allowing five hits, two walks, and six earned runs with four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings of work.
Seattle University (14-17) will continue the three-game series against Dallas Baptist Friday, April 22, at 3 p.m. local time. The series will conclude Saturday, April 23, with a 12 noon scheduled first pitch.