Panthers split with Stags at home

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University baseball team split a doubleheader with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Saturday afternoon at Hart Park to earn the three-game series win 2-1 against the Stags. The Panthers won game one 7-1, but lost game two 4-1.

Game 1: Chapman 7, Claremont-M-S 1

Senior Greg Dillon set the tone for the Panther offense in game one, going yard on the first pitch to lift Chapman to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. In the third inning, the Panthers pushed their lead to 2-0 when sophomore Gavin Blodgett scored on a single to left center by senior Tyler Cook.

Heading into the fourth, Chapman opened up its lead to 7-0 with a five-run effort. Cook cleared the bases on a three run double to left, following an RBI walk from Blodgett. Freshman Konnor Zickefoose traded places with Cook on second to knock the senior in and give the Panthers the 7-0 lead.

Claremont scored its only run of the game on a solo homerun to left by sophomore Trey Smith in the seventh to prevent the shutout. Senior Matt Molnar (5-1) secured the win after tossing seven innings and giving up just four hits.  

Game 2: Claremont 4, Chapman 1

Tied 1-1 heading into the seventh, the Stags pushed two runs across the plate to take the lead 3-1. Claremont scored on a squeeze by senior Chase Eller and a RBI single to left by junior Evan Opperman. The Stags added an insurance run in the ninth to secure the 4-1 win on a sacrifice fly to deep left by Smith.

The Panthers finished the game with seven hits while giving up six to Claremont. Dillon finished the day 4-for six at the plate, while Cook led the Panthers with four RBI.

Chapman will host Stevens Institute on Tuesday, March 19 at 2 p.m. for a non-conference game at Hart Park.

by Raquel Rinauro
Sports Information Assistant

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