Seattle University erased an early deficit, pulling into a tie in the eighth inning, but Dallas Baptist scored five times in the bottom of the eighth to take the rubber game of the weekend series, 9-4, Saturday afternoon in Western Athletic Conference baseball action at Horner Ballpark.
With Seattle U down by one in the top of the eighth inning, Ryan Somers (Sammamish, Wash.) hit a one-out double off the left field wall. With two outs, Cash McGuire (Kent, Wash.) came through with a single into left-center field, driving in Somers to tie the game at 4-4. Zach Aaker (Ravensdale, Wash.) followed with a single to put two runners on base, but DBU pitcher Michael Smith induced a groundout to end the Redhawk threat.
Dallas Baptist (20-16, 7-5 WAC) responded in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Austin Listi led off with a single and Chane Lynch followed with a two-run home run off Seattle U reliever Eric Yardley (Richland, Wash.). The Patriots extended the lead when Nash Knight reached on a Redhawk error and eventually scored on a single by Boomer Collins, followed by RBI doubles from Ronnie Mitchell and Michael Miller.
Collins was moved into the leadoff spot for Dallas Baptist and immediately made that decision look good, hitting a solo home run to start the bottom of the first inning. The Patriots put two runners on base in the second inning with one out thanks to a walk and a single, but Redhawk starter Skyler Genger (Kent, Wash.) worked his way out of the jam with a flyout and a groundout.
With one out in the top of the third inning, Nick Latta (Tacoma, Wash.) sent a single through the left side of the infield. Latta would steal both second base and third base, and then he would come in to score on a two-out infield single by Landon Cray (Chimacum, Wash.), tying the game at 1-1.
Collins would lead off the bottom of the third with another hit, this time a double to center field. Genger would retire the next two batters, but Duncan McAlpine laced a single into right-center field to score Collins and put the Patriots back on top, 2-1.
In the fourth inning, the Patriots added to their lead, starting when Chane Lynch tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Knight. With two outs, Dallas Baptist put together a rally with consecutive singles from RJ Talamantes, Collins, and Mitchell, extending its lead to 4-1 and ending the day for Genger after 3 2/3 innings.
The Redhawks fought back in the fifth inning, as Aaker drew a one-out walk, and Latta followed with his second home run in as many days, a deep shot over the left field wall. In the sixth inning, Somers singled and advanced to third on a stolen base and a Patriot error, but a ball hit by McGuire destined for right field was corralled on a diving stop by Lynch at first base, preventing the tying run from scoring.
Seattle U put together another scoring chance in the seventh inning, as Latta drew a one-out walk and Chase Fields (Ontario, Ore.) followed with a single to right field. However, the Redhawks could not bring anyone home, as Dallas Baptist relievers Paul Voelker and Smith combined to retire the next two batters.
Smith closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning, earning his fifth win of the season with 2 1/3 innings of relief. Collins went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two runs batted in, while Mitchell and Lynch each finished with three hits and two RBI as the Patriots collected 15 hits during the game.
Somers and Latta led the Seattle U offense with two hits apiece. Between Genger and Yardley, Kyle Doyle (Covington, Wash.) put together a solid relief outing, giving up just two hits in three innings out of the bullpen while striking out two Patriot batters.
Seattle University (12-22, 3-8 WAC) heads home to prepare for five consecutive games in the Seattle area, starting with the third game of the crosstown series against the University of Washington Tuesday, April 16, at 5 p.m. at Husky Ballpark. The Redhawks will then play four straight home games, beginning with the first of a three-game WAC series against UT Arlington Friday, April 19, at 6 p.m. at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue.