Offensive outbursts highlight Panthers' doubleheader split

ORANGE, Calif. -  An eight-run third inning was plenty for the Chapman University baseball team to earn an 11-7 victory in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader split with visiting Cal State San Marcos at Hart Park. However, the Panthers' six-run eighth-inning rally in the second game was not enough to overcome a large Cougars' lead and an eventual 10-8 San Marcos win. The No. 15-ranked Panthers fell to 2-4 in April.

Game 1: Chapman 11, Cal State San Marcos 7
The Panthers scored eight unearned runs in the third inning following a two-out San Marcos error which kept the inning alive. Senior IF Patrick Ohail and sophomore IF Tyler Hadzinsky each had an RBI single, junior IF Halston Barcelo had a two-run single and sophomore C Adam Kordich delivered the crushing blow - a three-run homer to left - to give Chapman a sizeable 8-2 advantage.

Cal State San Marcos rallied and got as close as 10-7, but freshman LHP Ben Levitt limited any further damage in four innings of relief for his first career save. Levitt allowed just one run and three hits while closing the door on the Cougars. Sophomore RHP Jordan Sigman tossed the first five innings to earn his sixth win of the year (6-2).

Every Chapman starter scored at least one run, including junior OF Ryan Prechtl who reached base three times (2-for-3 with a walk) and scored twice. Sophomore OF John Semel went 2-for-5 with a two-run double in the fourth inning.

Game 2: Cal State San Marcos 10, Chapman 8
A six-run eighth inning came up too short for Chapman (21-10). The Cougars scored all 10 runs in the middle innings off of three Chapman pitchers and finished with 16 hits, including three each from IF Louie Russo and DH Dane Ponciano.

Trailing 10-2 in the eighth, Chapman's first five hitters all reached on base hits and scored, including Ohail and senior IF Tristan Phillips who each had run-scoring doubles. Hadzinsky added an RBI triple - his second three-bagger of the day - to go 3-for-4 and was a home run shy of the cycle.

Hopes of another Panther rally in the ninth were silenced by San Marcos (21-12) turning its fourth double play of the game with the tying run at the plate.

Junior OF Ryan Hall was 2-for-4 with two RBI and hit his first home run of the season to leadoff the third inning for Chapman.

Game 1 Box: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2008-09/stats/cssm-cu1.htm
Game 2 Box: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2008-09/stats/cssm-cu2.htm