Jared Love hits the ball.
Jared Love (photo by Larry Newman)

Cosby goes six, Love with 2 RBIs in victory over Vassar

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University baseball team edged out Vassar College 3-2 this evening to notch its 10th win of the season. Junior pitcher Christian Cosby led the Panthers (10-6) on the mound, striking out three batters while allowing four hits in six innings pitched. Senior Jared Love has found his groove since returning from injury, recording two RBIs on 1-for-3 hitting in the victory over Vassar (0-1).

After a scoreless first two innings, the Panthers started a two-out rally in the bottom of the third to earn their first run. Sophomore Aaron Wong walked, followed by a single through the right side from senior Gavin Blodgett that advanced Wong to second. Senior Justin Stream stepped up to the plate and singled up the middle, allowing a speedy Wong to score from second. A pop up ended the inning, giving Chapman a 1-0 lead.

With runners on first and second and one out in the bottom of the fifth, Love stepped up to the plate. The veteran doubled down the left field line, scoring both runners and extending the Panthers' lead to three runs.

The Brewers tallied a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth after a couple of wild pitches left a runner on third base. Vassar senior Matt Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring the run and making the score 3-1 with three more innings left to play.

Solid pitching highlighted the next two innings, as junior pitcher Mason Collins entered in the seventh inning, allowing just one hit and striking out a batter and sophomore Austin Merrill allowed one hit and no runs in the eighth.

A walk and a single in the top of the ninth put runners on first and third for the Brewers with one out. Freshman Elliott Layne stepped up to the plate and doubled down the right field line, scoring the runner on third and making the score 3-2 with one out. After an intentional walk that loaded the bases, freshman pitcher Cody Turner struck out the next two batters, ending the inning and sealing the victory for the Panthers.

Stream went 2-for-4 on the night with an RBI and sophomore Kevin Gregersen went a perfect 1-for-1 as a reserve for Chapman.

The Panthers will return home to Hart Park on Tuesday, March 13 to make up the second game of a doubleheader that was postponed due to rain this past Saturday. Chapman will take on Whittier at 6 p.m.

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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