Junior shortstop Chase Tucker (Poway, CA) propelled a three-run shot over the left-field fence in the bottom of the eighth inning to push the No.18 University of Redlands baseball team over the Poets of Whittier College on Friday at the Yard by a score of 3-2. With the victory, the Bulldogs secure sole possession of the 2011 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship, making this the program's 11th title.

The team trailed by two runs going into the bottom of the eighth before Tucker's homer put Redlands in front for good. The shortstop's bomb was his third of the season as well as his third hit of the ball game en route to a 3-for-4 showing at the plate.

Freshman outfielder Max Hardman (Escondido, CA) pinch hit for the Maroon and Gray and initiated the rally by lacing a single to right field with one out in the frame. Senior left fielder Brandon Owashi (San Diego, CA) kept the Bulldogs' momentum moving along with a seeing-eye-single through the right side of the infield, which set up Tucker's at-bat.

On the hill for the Bulldogs, senior starter Derek Johnson (Canby, OR) led the way with eight solid innings of work. The ace of the crew worked hard and fast, scattering five hits, allowing two runs, and fanning a season-high 12 batters. Johnson's outing earned him his 12th win of the year, which matches his season total from 2010.

Sophomore Kyle Hart (Poway, CA) made his first relief appearance of the 2011 campaign and picked up his first career collegiate save in the process. The slinger tossed the final inning without giving up a hit and rang up the game's final batter.

Senior right fielder Nate Carlson (Portland, OR) and junior first baseman Jon Cavender (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) each tallied a base knock in the contest, with Carlson also nabbing his fifth steal of the year.

The Bulldogs (27-9, 21-6) wrap up conference play on Saturday against the Beavers of Caltech in Pasadena. The first pitch is slated for a 1 p.m.