Six scoreless from Banks clinches baseball a Super Regional berth

ORANGE, Calif — Despite dropping the first game in convincing fashion, freshman Max Banks came up clutch on the mound in game two, propelling the Panthers to their second Super Regional in three years.

Game 1 — L, 17-8

The Sagehens led the Panthers wire-to-wire in this one, scoring three runs in the first and not looking back. 

A pair of bright spots for Chapman came on the offensive end, with Drew Littwin hitting two homers in the game and driving in three runs. Josh Phillips also made his return to the field after missing a month-and-a-half of time, hitting a homer and a single after entering in the fifth.

Game 2 — W, 6-3

The Panthers bounced back and took home the decisive seventh game of the tournament behind an amazing outing from Banks and some timely early hitting.

Chapman got the scoring started early with a two-run bomb from Cooper Foard in the first. Then a Kai Osaka two-out single that drove in AJ Anzai.

In the third, Josh Phillips smoked a two-run bomb to left bringing home Anzai. The scoring was wrapped up by Chapman in the fourth when Davis Mieliwocki hit a sacrifice fly to left field bringing home Nick Kondo who doubled leading off the inning.

Banks got the nod to start and was spectacular, allowing three hits through six scoreless striking out five. He didn't allow a hit until the fifth.

Mike Gorman came in to earn the hold, and Dylan Holt, despite giving up three runs in the eighth, tossed a scoreless ninth earning the save.

Chapman will move on to the NCAA Super Regional round next weekend, site and opponent to be determined.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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