SEATTLE — The woes continued for Seattle U baseball (13-22, 7-14 WAC) as it suffered a 9-1 decision to California Baptist (26-11, 18-3 WAC) in the series opener on Friday at Bannerwood Park.
The Redhawks were cold at the plate, logging just five hits on the afternoon contest. Julian Kodama had a base knock in the first while Kyle Sherick and Gavin Rork singled in the third. Connor O'Brien and Austin Lively then had bloop singles in the sixth and eighth, respectively.
The lone Seattle U run was scored in the third as O'Brien pushed Sherick across with a sacrifice fly, to make it 3-1. Sherick reached with a one-out single, before advancing to second thanks to a base knock from Rork. The duo were then successful in a double steal that moved Sherick 90 feet from home. It was O'Brien's 16th RBI of the season and the 14th run scored by Sherick.
The Lancers got off to a quick start scoring one in first before notching a two-run home run in the second for a 3-0 advantage. After the SU tally, California Baptist then scored once more in the fourth, sixth and seventh before tacking on a three-run ninth.
On the mound, Morgan White (1-2) was charged with the loss, as he surrendered three run on seven hits with three strikeouts in three innings of work. Nestor German then took over in long relief as he worked the next five innings, posting the same line as White. Desmond Parisotto (0.2 IP) and Mason Hoover (0.1 IP) then split the ninth.
The Redhawks resume their series with California Baptist tomorrow with a scheduled doubleheader. First pitch of game one from Bannerwood Park is slated for 12 pm.