Panthers comeback again to complete weekend sweep

ORANGE, Calif. - For the 10th time this season, the Chapman University baseball team came from behind to defeat an opponent as the Panthers beat visiting Menlo College 5-3 in the finale of the four-team round robin Chapman Invitational at Hart Park on Sunday afternoon. Chapman completed the three-game sweep, including two comeback wins and captured first place in the tournament.

Once again it was junior OF Ryan Prechtl in the middle of the rally for Chapman (24-13). The Panther leadoff man had an RBI double with two outs in the fifth inning to plate sophomore IF Tyler Hadzinsky and cut Menlo's lead to 3-2. Prechtl then came around to score on freshman DH Ben Owens' single down the first base line to tie the ballgame. Prechtl, who had four hits on Saturday, batted .538 with 13 total bases and five RBI in the tournament and was named Top Hitter.

In the sixth, the Panthers broke the tie thanks to a two-run single from Hadzinsky, which made it 5-3 in favor of Chapman. Hadzinsky had hits in his first three at-bats including a double, and scored Chapman's first two runs of the game. Senior IF Patrick Ohail was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Sophomore RHP Jordan Sigman, on just one day's rest, came out of the bullpen and tossed three shutout innings to earn his eighth win of the year and second in the tournament. Sigman allowed just one hit and struck out three batters. Sophomore RHP John Semel closed the game with two scoreless innings and earned his seventh save. Semel saved all three Chapman victories in the Invitational. Both pitchers were named to the All-Tournament team (below).

Box score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2008-09/stats/mc-cu4.htm

Chapman Invitational - 2009
All-Tournament Team

Top Pitcher: Jordan Sigman, Chapman (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 10.0 IP)
Top Hitter: Ryan Prechtl, Chapman (.538, 7-for-13, 5 RBI, 13 total bases)
Gold Glove: Brian Lloyd, CSU East Bay

C - Joe Lehman, Chapman
IF - Shane Parsons, Menlo
IF - Joey Luoma, CSU East Bay
IF - Tyler Hadzinsky, Chapman
IF - Mark Marelich, CSU East Bay
OF - Robbie Nelson, Menlo
OF - Devin Grigg, CSU East Bay
OF - Tyler Shook, CSU East Bay
UTL - John Semel, Chapman
P - Nolan Nicholson, Redlands