Posted: Feb 26, 2011
Willamette, Pomona, rain, not enough to stop Chapman in return home
ORANGE, Calif. – Behind the strength of its pitching and a couple of big offensive innings, the Chapman University baseball team withstood the cold and rain to earn wins over Willamette University and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Friday at Hart Park. Chapman beat Willamette 6-0 in the afternoon game and then topped West Region rival Pomona-Pitzer 12-1 in five innings as the game was called because of rain.
Chapman 6, Willamette 0
A five run second inning gave sophomore RHP Travis McGee all the run support he would need as he held Willamette (3-2) scoreless for seven innings while striking out eight batters. McGee also shut out Willamette last season with a similar performance in an 18-0 Chapman win.
A five run second inning gave sophomore RHP Travis McGee all the run support he would need as he held Willamette (3-2) scoreless for seven innings while striking out eight batters. McGee also shut out Willamette last season with a similar performance in an 18-0 Chapman win.
The second inning began with back-to-back singles from senior C Adam Kordich and junior OF Charlie Piro. An error by Bearcats freshman IF Scott Arn at first base allowed Kordich to score giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead which opened the door for a big inning.
After sophomore IF Tyler Surnbrock doubled in the Panthers second run, freshman IF Mark Saatzer pushed the lead to 4-0 with a two-run single to center field. Kordich who led off the inning, was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for an RBI and a 5-0 lead. In the third inning Saatzer singled home another run for his third RBI of the game.
Chapman 12, Pomona-Pitzer 1 (Five Innings)
Chapman (6-4) had a big second inning in the second game as well, scoring seven runs and chasing D3baseball.com Preseason All-American David Colvin from the game after just 1 2/3 innings.
Already leading 2-0 after the first inning, Chapman brought 11 men to the plate in the second inning as they capitalized on a pair of walks to start the inning. The Panthers then scored all seven runs with two outs highlighted by a two-run double by Kordich. Senior DH Max Burnett, along with Piro and Surnbrock also added RBI hits in the inning as Chapman took a 9-0 lead.
Pomona-Pitzer (10-2) got its lone run of the game in the fourth inning as they brought the score to 9-1. Freshman IF Timothy Novom and sophomore IF Nick Gentili led off the inning for the Sagehens with back-to-back singles. Novom then came around to score after a throwing error by senior IF Tyler Hadzinsky at second base.
Chapman then added three runs in the fifth, two coming on a run-scoring double by Hadzinsky. The No.3 through No. 6 hitters for Chapman which includes Hadzinsky, Kordich, Piro and Burnett combined to go 8-for-13 with nine RBI against the Sagehens.
Sophomore P Brian Rauh got his third win of the season as he pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing two hits and one unearned run with nine strikeouts.
by Chris Watts
Sports Information Assistant
Sports Information Assistant