ORANGE, Calif.—Chapman baseball opened up their 2026 season at home in electrifying fashion as they hosted their first SCIAC series against Pomona-Pitzer. The Panthers took home the second game of the doubleheader 4-3. They came roaring back in the first game from a 7-0 first inning deficit to tie it up 10-10, before falling in the final inning 12-10 to the Sagehens. 

During the second game Saturday, Blake Jacobs clinched the massive conference win in the ninth inning off a wild pitch with the bases loaded. The Sagehens intentionally walked Nate Jensen and Nick Molina to get the bases loaded. Jacobs sprinted home the first chance he saw, and clinched the Panthers their first SCIAC win of the 2026 season. 

During the second game, Graham Stogner pitched six innings to go along with striking out nine batters. Then, the reliever Matthew Kuromoto checked in, giving up just three hits, no runs and striking out two batters the last three innings of play. 

In the first game, the Panthers lit up the entire stadium. Senior outfielder, and SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year in football, Tate Zimmerman made a name for himself. He had two hits, two runs, one RBI and got walked three times on the day. After falling behind 7-0 early on and giving up two unearned runs, Chapman fought back with vengeance and outscored the Sagehens 10-5 the next seven innings of play. 

Chapman will look to take the one victory and offensive momentum into a quick turnaround. They return home Sunday, Feb. 22 to host Puget Sound at 11 AM.