BELLEVUE, Wash. — A late rally was not enough for Seattle U baseball on Saturday, as it dropped game two of its series with Pacific, finishing on the wrong end of a 6-5 decision at Bannerwood Park.
The Redhawks (4-5) scored five runs on eight hits, while leaving eight runners stranded including three in scoring position. The offense though struggled as Seattle U tallied one hit during the first 10 at-bats, with the top half of the lineup hitting a combined 1-21 hitting with two RBI on the day.
"It was a tough day," said head coach Donny Harrel. "I didn't think we played we real well. I don't feel offensively that our approach was not consistent enough as we made the same out each at-bat. We have to get our core guys and the top end of our lineup to make some adjustments to do the damage we know they can. I am very happy though with how the backend of our lineup performed."
Trailing 2-0 in the third, Drake Maningo (2-4) tallied the opening run for Seattle U. Maningo led the inning off with a double, before Kyle Sherick (2-3) laid down a bunt, moving Maningo to third. Austin Lively (1-2) then picked up his first RBI of the season as he grounded out to second.
After three-up, three-down four for both pitchers, the Tigers took a commanding as they plated four runs in the fifth, for a 6-1 advantage.
The Redhawks then began to mount a rally in the seventh, after an error allowed Nolan Jekich (0-4) to first. He then moved to third as Julian Kodama (1-3) followed with a double to the right-center. Chase Wells (2-4) then drove Jekich in with a single to shallow left-center, making it 6-2.
Two batters later, Kodama raced in, to cut the deficit in half on a Sherick-double. Wells was then pushed in from third during a pinch-hit appearance by Trevor Antonson (0-1), as Seattle U reduced the margin again to 6-4.
During the final two frames, Pacific was held scoreless with two and left three runners stranded, including two in the ninth.
Sherick then notched his second double of the day, to begin the Redhawk half of the ninth. Lively then drew a walk, putting runners at first and second.
Blaine Wagner (0-0) then came off the bench to advance both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Seattle U then closed the deficit to one, 6-5, as Connor O'Brien (0-5) plated Sherick on a ground ball to short. The late Redhawk push quickly faded as Pacific record the final out.
On the mound, Ethan Christianson (1-2) was dealt the loss after allowing six runs, two earned, while tossing six strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Tyler Yeh worked a strong 4.0 innings of relief, scattering four hits, while holding Pacific scoreless with three strikeouts. Also appearing in relief was Desmond Parisotto (0.1 IP).
Tigers' starter Grant Stevens was attributed with the decision, as he surrender four runs, two earned, on five hits in 6.0 innings.
The four-game series is set to wrap-up tomorrow with Seattle U hosting a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is slated for 11 am.