Two-hitter from Rauh lifts Chapman in playoff opener

ABILENE, Texas – Backed by plenty of offense and an error-free defense, Chapman University sophomore RHP Brian Rauh tossed a two-hit shutout to give the No. 9-ranked Panthers a 7-0 win over No. 11 Texas-Tyler in the first game of the NCAA Division III West Region baseball championships at Driggers Field on Wednesday afternoon. Chapman (30-11) will face the winner of Redlands/Trinity (Texas) on Thursday at 7 p.m. (CDT).

The shutout was Rauh's second in a row – both coming against nationally-ranked opponents – and he extended his scoreless inning streak to 21 1/3. That streak is fifth best in Chapman's Division III history. The sophomore improved to 11-0 this season and lowered his ERA to 1.73 in over 109 innings this season.

Rauh – the Division III leader in strikeouts – whiffed six batters and didn't allow a base hit from the fourth inning on. In fact, Texas-Tyler (33-7) didn't get its first and only runner to second base until the seventh inning.

In the meantime, Chapman (30-11) cleanup man senior C Adam Kordich provided the spark needed to get the offense going. The Panthers got on the board in the second inning when Kordich drew a leadoff walk and scored on sophomore OF James Parr's double. Sophomore OF Charlie Piro then followed with an RBI single to put Chapman up 2-0.

In the fifth inning, the Panthers scored a pair of unearned runs after junior DH Steve Greenberg led off the inning with a double and freshman IF Mark Saatzer reached on a throwing error. With two outs, Kordich delivered a clutch two-run single to center to give Rauh and the Panthers a 4-0 lead.

Finally, with the Panthers ahead 6-0, Kordich belted a solo homer – his fifth of the year – to lead off the seventh inning. The senior reached base all four times on Wednesday, going 2-for-2 with two runs, three RBI and a pair of walks.

Chapman roughed up Tyler ace Chad Sherman for 11 hits, including two apiece from Parr, Piro and Greenberg.

For the time being, the Panthers avenged a 5-4 loss to the Patriots at last year's West Region playoffs in McMinnville, Ore. The two teams have met each of the past three years in the playoffs with Chapman now owning a 2-1 series advantage.

It marked the sixth straight year Chapman has won its postseason opener.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director