Turner, Gregersen help Chapman split doubleheader
ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman returned home for a doubleheader against 15th ranked Cal Lutheran, after losing the first game of the three-game series on Friday. The Panthers dropped the first game of the day, but they managed to avoid the series sweep behind a phenomenal pitching performance from Cody Turner, and three RBIs from Kevin Gregersen.
Game 1 – L, 8-3
The Panthers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning behind RBIs from Gregersen and Henry Zeisler.
Starting pitcher Riley Glenn fought through trouble early, holding the Kingsmen scoreless for the first four innings. But Cal Lutheran turned it around in the fifth, putting up four runs. Tanner Wright drove in Cal Lutheran's first run of the game, then Ryan Probst followed it up with a bases clearing triple which gave the Kingsmen their first lead of the game.
The Panthers were able to answer right back, when Drew Littwin led off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Kevin Gregersen laid down a bunt to advance him, but an errant throw allowed Littwin to score all the way from first to cut the deficit to 4-3.
In the top of the sixth, Tanner Wright continued his productive game for the Kingsmen with a two RBI double to extend the Cal Lutheran lead to 6-3. The Kingsmen added another two runs in the ninth inning.
Despite opportunities, the Panthers were unable to score over the final four innings, giving Cal Lutheran the victory in the game and the series.
Game 2 – W, 6-3
The Panthers struck first again, this time on an RBI single from Joe Jimenez, which gave the Panthers a 1-0 first inning lead. Gregersen expanded the lead to 2-0 in the third with a double down the right field line that scored Brad Shimabuku.
In the fourth inning, the Kingsmen put together a rally and scored twice to even the score at 2. It was short lived, as in the bottom of the fifth, Gregersen continued his hot day with an RBI single to put Chapman back on top 3-2.
The Kingsmens' Daniel Parr led off the top of the seventh with a triple, then was driven in by Joseph Scalzo to tie the game at 3. But again, it was Kevin Gregersen who broke the tie, this time with a triple down the right field line to put the Panthers back in front for good.
In the bottom of the eighth, Aaron Wong belted a two RBI single to give the Panthers a three-run lead heading into the ninth.
Cody Turner pitched a gem for the Panthers, striking out 10 Kingsmen over eight innings, before turning the ball over to Wyatt Thompson to close out the victory and bring Chapman back to .500 in SCIAC play.
This marks the start of a long homestand for the Panthers, who will play their next nine games at Hart Park. Their next game will be March 4 at 2:30 p.m. when they take on Westcliffe in an exhibition game.
by Phil Wood
Sports Information Assistant
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