Baseball takes series opener over Redlands
ORANGE, Calif. – Three big innings pushed the Chapman University baseball team to a 12-5 over visiting Redlands top open a three-game series on Friday. The top-6 hitters in the lineup drove in every run while seven starters collected at least one hit.
Junior Brad Shimabuku set the tone early with a base hit to lead off the first inning and scored two pitches later on senior Henry Zeisler's single into center. Shimabuku went on to go 3-for-4 with three runs scored and reached safely in each of his first four plate appearances.
The top of the Chapman order – Shimabuku, junior Drew Littwin and Zeisler – combined to go 7-for-12 with five runs scored and four RBIs. Senior Mack Cheli drove in a pair of runs from the four spot in the order and junior Cooper Foard – in the fifth spot – drove in another two runs. Sophomore Davis Mieliwocki continued the run down the lineup with a three-RBI day at the plate, including a solo home run in the third.
After Shimabuku crossed the plate four pitches into the bottom of the first, the Panthers put up back-to-back four-run innings in the third and fourth to go up 9-2. They added three more in the seventh on a bases loaded single from Littwin.
Senior Cody Turner earned his first win on the mound this season, pitching seven strong innings. He struck out five, walked four and allowed four runs on four hits. He induced two inning-ending double play balls to keep the Panthers out in front. He walked back-to-back batters in the third, who both came around to score after a sacrifice bunt and a two-run single.
The single gave Redlands the lead for the moment but Chapman responded with eight runs over the next two innings. Freshmen Hank Tobias and AJ Anzai closed out the game for Turner to seal the Chapman win.
The series shifts to Redlands tomorrow for an 11 a.m. doubleheader.
By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director
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