ORANGE, Calif. – In the first home game of the 2021 season, the Chapman softball team fell to Cal Lutheran 5-1 in extra innings.

The Friday afternoon game saw strong pitching performances from both sides. Chapman freshman Simi Lauwers tossed 5.2 scoreless relief innings before the Regals put up four runs in the top of the ninth. The starting pitcher senior Mykala Tokunaga pitched 2.1 innings, allowing only one run.

Chapman scored its lone run in the fourth inning on an RBI single from senior Zela Chahbazian – who went 3-for-3 on the afternoon with a double - which scored junior Julia Muniz. Muniz tripled to put herself into scoring position.

The Panthers left nine runners on base throughout the game, including the potential go-ahead run on third after a Chahbazian leadoff double to start the sixth inning

Chapman also out hit Cal Lutheran 9-8 and committed two errors.

Chapman and Cal Lutheran finish off this first SCIAC series tomorrow at noon with a doubleheader in Thousand Oaks, Calif.