Orange, Calif.— The Chapman University baseball team roared back to dominate the doubleheader against the University of La Verne on Saturday, and take the series win 2-1. In the first game, the Panthers won 9-4, and they took the second game 5-2. In the second game,
Graham Stogner dominated as the relief pitcher earning the save for the Panthers. Throughout the day, sophomore short stop
Joey Capobianco dominated offensively to give the Panthers the offensive juice they needed. The Panthers now sit at 11-10 in SCIAC play and 21-16 overall, as they hunt for a spot in the SCIAC Tournament.
Game One, W- 9-4
In the first game of the doubleheader, Capobianco led the way offensively recording one run, four hits and four RBI. Freshman lead off batter
Keegan Goddard also poured on two runs and two hits to go along with an RBI. In the sixth inning, bats came alive for Chapman, as
Andrew Powers hit a bomb to left field which brought
Blake Jacobs home, earned him an RBI. Then
Nick Molina advanced to third and senior second baseman
Ryan Nopper came up to bat and hit a sacrifice fly which brought Molina home. Back at the top of the order, Goddard knocked one into centerfield which brought Powers home. Finally, Capobianco stepped up to the plate, and hit a single to centerfield which brought in another two runs and two RBI. In that inning alone, the Panthers put up five runs. Jacobs also added another two hits, one run and one RBI to seal the deal.
On the pitching side,
Luke Bradley got the start, striking out four batters in seven innings.
Owen Rolling closed out the game striking out two in two innings.
Game Two, W-5-2
In the second game of the doubleheader,
Graham Stogner closed it out on the mound. The senior reliever came in with rain beginning to come down. He pitched the final three innings, struck out five batters and left La Verne speechless by game's end. He earned the final three outs at the top of ninth inning to close out the game with nine strikes.
Ryan Iveson got the start, and gave up just two runs while getting six strikeouts across six innings.
Capobianco led the way yet again offensively, getting another two hits and two runs to go along with one RBI. Senior right fielder
Tate Zimmerman also poured on one run, two hits and one RBI. In the first inning, Chapman pulled away 3-0 as Capobianco and Zimmerman both hit bombs to the right side and left field. They each earned an RBI and brought one run home. Finally, Capobianco scored on a wild pitch to end off the inning. In the eighth inning, Jacobs sealed the game by hitting a double down the left field line, which brought Capobianco home to give Chapman the 5-2 lead and series win.
The Panthers will prepare for one final weekend of SCIAC regular season play. The will travel to Caltech on Friday, May 1 and host the Beavers on Saturday, May 2 where they will also celebrate senior day in front of the home crowd.
