Hanks tosses first career shutout in Panthers' win over Whittier

ORANGE, Calif.- Junior starting pitcher Justin Hanks tossed his second straight complete game, leading the Chapman University baseball team to a 9-0 shutout over Whittier on Friday at Hart Park. The Panthers have bounced back from a seven game losing streak, winning four straight games to improve their conference record to 13-9.

'Senior Day' at Hart Park was doubly special for right fielder Tyler Surnbrock, the Panthers sole graduating senior. Shortly after being honored in a pregame ceremony, Surnbrock clubbed a three-run double to give Chapman an early 4-0 lead after the first frame. The three-RBI game marked a season high for Surnbrock, who collected two hits for his fifth multiple-hit game of the season.

The Panthers kept their foot on the gas over the next two innings, plating a run in the second inning on an Adam Velez RBI-single and tacking on two more in the third frame when shortstop John Wiehe connected for a two-run single that knocked Whittier starter Thomas Hemington out of the game.

Meanwhile, Hanks held the Poets scoreless despite allowing base runners in eight of his nine innings. The right hander fought hard for his first career shutout, leaving 10 runners stranded to keep his 18-inning streak without allowing an earned run intact.

The Panthers' resounding victory was not won on the mound alone as the defense behind Hanks made several highlight reel plays to keep the Poets scoreless. Velez complimented his three-hit game by robbing Whittier of several extra base hits while second baseman Eddie Aguayo was flawless defensively, contributing three hits of his own while scoring twice.

The Panthers will head to Whittier on Saturday for a doubleheader that will determine their seeding for SCIAC pool play that is set to begin on Wednesday. Pool play will consist of four games in which Chapman will face four SCIAC opponents determined by the conference standings after Saturday's games.

Postgame interview with Justin Hanks and Tyler Surnbrock: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/index

Box score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2012-13/boxscores/20130419_dg4r.xml

by Ryan Cavinder
Sports Information Assistant

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports

Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#CUPanthers