Late-inning surge gives Chapman comeback win

ORANGE, Calif. - Trailing 6-4 in the eighth inning, the Chapman University baseball team scored three runs in the eighth and added six more in the ninth to defeat the University of Redlands on the second day of the Chapman Invitational at Hart Park on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers pounded 17 hits and earned a season-split with Redlands, a win apiece.

The hero of the day was junior OF Ryan Prechtl, whose fifth homer of the season - a two-run shot - tied the game in the eighth and sparked Chapman's offensive surge. His two-run single in the ninth also started the Panthers' rally in that inning. Prechtl had four hits on the day and was a double shy of the cycle. The junior also scored three runs and drove in four.

Senior IF Tristan Phillips had two-run singles in the first and ninth innings, also driving in four runs. And sophomore OF/RHP John Semel was 3-for-5 with a double, stolen base and three runs scored. Semel's stolen base was his team-leading 16th of the season.

The late-inning runs made a winner out of senior RHP Matt Irsfeld in his first career start. Irsfeld (2-1) allowed just six hits and four earned runs (six total) in seven innings of work. The righty gave way to the Panthers' closer Semel, who pitched two hitless innings to earn his sixth save of the year.

Needing every win it can get to remain in playoff contention for an NCAA at-large postseason berth, Chapman (23-13) has rebounded from its recent skid of six losses in seven games and has now won back-to-back games for the first time since the end of March. The Panthers also improved to 14-5 at Hart Park this season with four games remaining - all at home.

The Panthers close out Chapman Invitational play against Menlo College on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Hart Park.

Box score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2008-09/stats/ur-cu.htm