Panthers turn in second shutout of the season
ORANGE, Calif. – Following a pair of two-run homers in the first and second innings each, the Chapman University baseball team settled in and let its freshmen arms handle the rest. The Panthers defeated visiting Ithaca College (N.Y.) 6-0 in the first of two-game series on Tuesday afternoon at Hart Park.
Freshman RHP Travis McGee (3-1) tossed seven shutout innings to pick up his third victory of the season. The rookie scattered just six hits and struck out five batters. It was his fourth consecutive start giving up one earned run or less. Freshman RHP Christian Maietta threw a two hitless innings in relief to complete the shutout – Chapman’s second this season.
The Panthers jumped on the board early, scoring three runs in the first inning on an RBI groundout by senior C Joe Lehman, followed by a two-run homer from senior IF Matt Luzar. Luzar homered for second time in as many games and leads the team with six dingers.
Chapman (13-4) scored twice more in the second inning on a two-run shot by senior OF Ryan Prechtl, his second of the year. That home run plated senior IF Bobby Evers and made the score 5-0. Evers reached base in all four plate appearances and scored a pair of runs in the game. Prechtl paced the Chapman offense, going 3-for-5 at the plate.
Ithaca (0-3) only threatened to break up the shutout once with just one baserunner reaching as far as third base in the seventh inning. In fact, any hopes of mustering a rally were squashed by McGee and the Chapman defense which turned three double plays: in the first, second and sixth innings.
The Panthers were held to just two singles from the fourth inning on, both from Prechtl. Chapman scored an insurance run in the eighth without the benefit of a hit as Evers led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and scored on three wild pitches.
The two teams will conclude the series on Wednesday night at Hart Park at 7 p.m.
by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director
Boxscores: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2009-10/stats/ic-cu1.htm