Runs at a premium at Hart as baseball splits with Redlands

ORANGE, Calif. – Runs were scarce on Saturday as the Chapman University baseball team split a doubleheader with the University of Redlands at Hart Park, but claimed the three-game weekend SCIAC series with the Bulldogs in the process. The Panthers captured the first half of the twinbill with a 1-0 win behind a five-hit shutout from junior RHP Matt Molnar, but fell 3-2 in Game 2. All three games in the series were decided by one run (9-8 Panthers in 11 innings on Friday in Redlands).

Game 1: Chapman 1, Redlands 0

Chapman (17-9 overall, 10-5 SCIAC) found itself on the right end of a pitchers duel, behind an outstanding effort from Molnar. The junior tossed his first career complete-game shutout, a five-hitter in just 90 pitches for his third win of the season. Molnar (3-1) struck out two and only allowed three Bulldogs to reach second base.

On the other end of the duel, Redlands' RHP Matthew Acosta (4-3) also allowed just five hits and struck out five in a complete-game loss. The difference came in the seventh inning as Chapman junior IF Tyler Cook led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice and scored on a two-out single by junior IF John Wiehe for the game's only run. It was the third shutout of the season for the Panthers.

Game 2: Redlands 3, Chapman 2

There were a few more hits in this one as the teams combined for 17, but not much more scoring. Redlands' RHP Michael Collins (3-2) earned the complete game victory, scattering seven hits and allowing just one earned run as the Bulldogs avoided the sweep.

With the game tied at 1-1, freshman OF Gavin Blodgett delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning to give Chapman a 2-1 lead. Blodgett finished 2-for-4, however the Panthers' offense stalled and was held to just two hits after.

Redlands (17-9 overall, 10-8 SCIAC) rallied for the tying and go-ahead runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by IF Christopher Scalisi and RBI single from IF Mark Tumlinson. Tumlinson finished with three hits in the game to lead all players.

Chapman senior RHP Kevin Klaess (3-3) earned a quality start, but was knocked out of the game with no outs in the seventh and suffered his second straight loss. Freshmen RHPs Jonathan Hernandez and Kynan Barton held the Bulldogs to just one hit over the final three frames in relief.

The Panthers host Whittier to open a three-game series on Friday at 3 p.m. at Hart Park, before the series shifts to Whittier for a doubleheader on Saturday.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

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