Semel, Panthers shut the door on late East-Bay rally

 ORANGE, Calif. - With a three-run lead and the tying run at the plate in the ninth inning and only one out, John Semel retired the next two batters to preserve a 4-1 win for the Chapman University baseball team over visiting Cal State East-Bay on Friday night at Hart Park.

 Semel, who recorded his fifth save of the season, pitched a strong eighth inning but struggled with his control in the ninth as he walked two consecutive Pioneer batters after retiring the first batter. With runners on first and second, Semel nearly gave up a game-tying homer to East-Bay junior OF Devin Grigg who flew out to the warning track in center field. Freshman pinch hitter Blake Brintz then struck out swinging to end the game.

 Chapman (22-13) took a 1-0 first inning lead on an RBI-single by Semel that scored junior OF Ryan Prechtl. The Panthers added a run in third, fourth and sixth innings, highlighted by a fourth inning solo homer by sophomore OF Tyler Hadzinsky to take a 4-0 lead.

 For the second consecutive start, sophomore P Jordan Sigman (7-3) worked deep into the game, this time seven innings as he cruised, allowing one unearned run, on four hits, with four strikeouts and only one walk. The lone East-Bay run came in the seventh inning as senior Brian Lloyd reached on a double and then scored as a result of a passed ball and throwing error by sophomore C Adam Kordich.

 Prechtl and Semel each went 2-for-3 on the night to lead the Panther offense.

 East-Bay (13-24) received strong starting pitching from senior Kenneth Cedillo who went the distance, allowing four runs and eight hits over eight innings. The Pioneers failed to back his strong start as they couldn't manage any run support, tallying just five hits against the duo of Sigman and Semel.