BELLEVUE, Wash. — In spite of a strong defensive effort that saw Creighton leave 12 runners on base, Seattle U baseball was dealt a tough-luck decision on Sunday falling 5-4 in the series finale, as it also dropped the series, 2-1, at Bannerwood Park.
Trailing 3-1, the Redhawks began to battle back in the third as Gavin Rork scored his second run of the day thanks in part to a Kyle Sherick (0-3) sacrifice bunt. Rork finished 1-for-3 with a walk.
Seattle U reliever Alex McBee then registered a 1-2-3 frame in the fourth, mowing down the Bluejay side. The left-hander worked three-scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
With momentum on its side, the Seattle U bats continued to produce as Justin Mazzone (1-3) and Chase Wells (1-4) notched back-to-back hits to lead off the Redhawk half of the fourth. A sac bunt from Drake Maningo (0-2) then moved the duo into scoring position. Following a Creighton pitching change, Julian Kodama (2-4) sent a 2-1 offering up the middle for a two-run single, giving Seattle U a 4-3 advantage.
The offense though then began to cool as SU stranded two runners in the fifth, before going down in order during the sixth and seventh.
In the eighth, with a runner on second, Creighton threatened to pull level but Redhawks reliever Brandon Jenkins tallied the final out of the frame. The SU offense however was unable to capitalize in the bottom half of the inning.
Creighton then drew back-to-back walks to begin the ninth. Seattle U pitching woes continued with consecutive hit by pitches surrendered, which resulted in the tying run. The Bluejays then scored the go-ahead run on a sac fly to center for a 5-4 lead. The Redhawks were tied to answer late but enviably left empty-handed.
Jenkins (0-1) was handed the loss, allowing two runs, both earned, in 0.2 innings. Relievers Tyler Yeh (2.0 IP), Alex Jemal (0.2 IP) and Desmond Parisotto (0.2 IP) each held the Bluejays scoreless in their respective outings. Starter Josh Thompson (2.0 IP) earned a no-decision on the day.
The Redhawks will return to action Wednesday when they fly south to take on UC Riverside. First pitch is scheduled for 6 pm.