Seattle University had its chances to close out Saturday’s Western Athletic Conference Tournament game, but Bakersfield battled back twice to force extra innings, and then the Roadrunners scored in the bottom of the 10th inning to defeat the Redhawks, 6-5, at Hohokam Stadium.
Seattle U suffered its first loss in the double-elimination tournament, creating a one-game winner-take-all contest Sunday, May 24, at 12 noon. The victor will win the WAC Tournament title and the accompanying automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
With the score tied 3-3, Colin Peterson (Bellingham, Wash.) drew a walk to lead off the inning, and Michael McCann (Vancouver, Wash.) followed with a bunt that eluded the Roadrunner defense for a base hit. Landon Cray (Chimacum, Wash.) successfully sacrificed both runners into scoring position, and Dalton Hurd (Bend, Ore.) drove in Peterson with a sacrifice fly to center field. Brian Olson (Black Diamond, Wash.) drew a walk, and Sheldon Stober (Kent, Wash.) sent a single through the left side, scoring pinch runner Eric Koenig (Auburn, Wash.).
Bakersfield’s Joey Sanchez was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the ninth, Jordie Hein drew a walk, and Mylz Jones sacrificed both runners into scoring position. A groundout by David Metzgar drove in Sanchez, and Hein was able to score on a wild pitch, tying the game at 5-5 and forcing extra innings.
Seattle U put together a scoring chance in the top of the 10th inning, as Grant Newton (Bend, Ore.) and Peterson earned back-to-back singles with one out. Cray was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs, but Bakersfield reliever AJ Monarrez induced a popout from Hurd to end the Redhawk scoring threat.
Drew Seelman led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a single, and Chance Gusbeth was able to reach on a bunt single. After both runners were sacrificed into scoring position by Cody White, Logan Trowbridge was intentionally walked. Sanchez drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in Seelman with the game-winning run.
“We are disappointed in tonight’s result, but I told the guys to refocus as we get ready for tomorrow’s game,” Seattle U head coach Donny Harrel said. “We still have a great opportunity to make history and win a WAC title.”
After the Redhawks fell behind 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Cray led off the eighth inning with a solo home run down the right field line to tie the game. Hurd followed with a double down the left field line that chased Bakersfield starting pitcher Garrett Nimmo from the game.
Olson greeted Roadrunner relief pitcher Max Carter with a shot back up the middle for a single, scoring Hurd to put the Redhawks back on top, 3-2. Stober followed with a single to right field to put two runners on base, but Seattle U could not bring home any more runs, despite a sacrifice bunt attempt by Brock Carpenter (Milton, Wash.) in which Olson was called out at third despite replays showing that he clearly beat the throw to third base.
Bakersfield (35-22-1) struck right back in the bottom of the eighth as Metzgar led off with a single, Carter followed with a single with both runners advancing into scoring position, and Garrett Pierce blooped a single into right field that scored Metzgar to tie the game at 3-3. Garrett Anderson (Kennewick, Wash.) was able to retire the next two Roadrunner batters to keep the score tied heading into the ninth inning.
The Redhawks loaded the bases with nobody out in the fourth inning when Hurd led off with a single and advanced to second on a Roadrunner error off an Olson grounder. Stober reached base on a bunt single, but a strikeout and a double play ended the Seattle U scoring threat without any runs scoring.
With one out in the fifth inning, Peterson hustled for a double as the ball fell just in front of the Bakersfield right fielder. After Peterson advanced to third on a wild pitch, Bakersfield drew the infield in, but McCann took advantage with a shot up the middle for an RBI single.
Bakersfield broke through in the bottom of the seventh inning, starting with a double down the left field line by Gusbeth. Soloman Williams reached base on a Redhawk error, and, after Williams was sacrificed to second base, Sanchez drove in both runners with a single to right-center field, putting the Roadrunners ahead and chasing Seattle U starter Will Dennis (Saratoga, Calif.) from the game.
Sanchez led the Roadrunners offensively, going 3-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI, while Carter, Gusbeth, and Ross Hough each earned two hits as Bakersfield finished with 14 hits. Stober went 3-for-5 to lead the Redhawks, with Hurd, Peterson, and McCann collecting two hits apiece as part of Seattle U’s 13-hit performance, but the Redhawks left 12 runners on base.
Seattle University (31-26) and Bakersfield will play for the WAC Tournament title Sunday, May 24, starting at 12 noon. Live audio will be available on GoSeattleU.com with Jake Eastman on the call starting shortly before first pitch. The WAC Digital Network will also broadcast the game live online at www.wacsports.com/watch.