By: Ryan Lackey

AUSTIN, Texas --- The Bruins faced the consistently strong Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens in the opening game of Saturday's day-night doubleheader, their last two games of their preseason series in Texas. The Bruins took an early lead in the second inning, but Pomona-Pitzer scored five unanswered runs to give the Bruins a 5-1 loss. The Bruins matched Pomona-Pitzer in hits with ten apiece, but could not quite find base hits with runners on.

Recap:
Both pitchers had long, effective starts. The Sagehens's Cameron Yen worked seven innings and allowed one early run to the Bruins. Alex Jondal, on the bump for the Bruins, was even better, giving the Sagehens just four hits and a single run over his six innings. Jondal struck out three.

In the top half of the second, the Bruins got on the board after Riley McKean reached base and, with two outs, was singled in by pinch-hitter Kyle Esquerra, batting for Caylen Clardy.

Pomona-Pitzer tied the game in the bottom of the third, tagging Jondal for the only run he'd give up. The teams exchanged zeroes through the middle innings as both pitchers settled into fine rhythms; until the eighth inning, the game looked like it would conclude as a classic pitcher's duel. In the eighth, though, the Bruins' bullpen was less than airtight, which has been something of a pattern during their Texas excursion. Zachery Muenster, who was sharp in his season debut, relieved Jondal and shut down the Sagehens in the seventh. But he ran into trouble in the eighth, and two of the Sagehens's four runs were charged to him. Tyler Hamilton, who came in for Muenster, got the Bruins out of the inning and closed out the game, but only after allowing two more runs. The 5-1 final stood for Pomona-Pitzer.

Top Performers:
The 5-1 final, though still a loss for the Bruins, did little to reflect the nature of the Bruins's performance, especially offensively. Catcher Andrew Reichenbach went 2-4 with two doubles. Riley McKean also finished 2-4 with a double and a stolen base. McKean also scored the Bruins's only run. Esquerra collected two hits and an RBI. But neither team did well in the clutch, leaving a combined 20 runners on base.

What It Means:
The Bruins conclude their Texas trip this afternoon against Rhodes.

What Comes Next:
Next Saturday, the Bruins return to Oregon to begin their Northwest Conference schedule, beginning with a three-game set at home with Pacific University.