ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University baseball team suffered not one, but two one-run losses against visiting Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.), losing 8-7 and then 5-4 in 10 innings in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Hart Park.
Game 1: Pacific Lutheran 8, Chapman 7
A five-run seventh inning by Pacific Lutheran (16-8) helped the Lutes turn around a 5-3 deficit into an 8-5 lead and provided the difference in the game. PLU sent nine men to the plate in the inning and got four singles, two walks and a sacrifice fly, chasing Chapman starter junior RHP Travis McGee from the game.
Chapman (11-16) put together a comeback in the ninth thanks to a one-out double by sophomore C Taber Watson, a walk and then RBI singles from sophomore IF Troy Newman and junior OF Charlie Piro. Newman represented the tying run on third base with two outs before a flyout ended the threat.
PLU's A.J. Konopaski tossed the final three innings to earn his first save of the year in relief of starter Chris Bishop (3-1) who went six innings and allowed just two earned runs on six base hits.
A day after driving in four runs, Watson was 3-for-3 for Chapman with three runs scored as the Panthers out-hit the Lutes 10-9. Junior OF James Parr had a two-run double as part of a three-run third inning for Chapman.
Game 2: Pacific Lutheran 5, Chapman 4 (10 inn.)
With one out in the 10th inning, Lutes' DH Jacob Hoffman tripled into right field and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch and PLU held on for the doubleheader sweep. An inning earlier, PLU had trailed 3-2 with one out before mounting a two-run rally that gave it a 4-3 advantage.
Chapman scored a run of its own in the bottom of the frame to even the score at 4-4 and force extra innings. Junior IF Tyler Surnbrock led off the ninth with an infield single and took second on a sac bunt. Pinch hitter Charlie James then delivered an RBI single to right scoring Surnbrock. Surnbrock and sophomore OF Connor Battaglia had a pair of hits and scored a pair of runs each in the game.
The Panthers looked as though they would salvage at least a split on Saturday after Watson again came through with a clutch hit. Trailing 2-1 with two outs and two on in the seventh inning, Watson ripped a 2-2 pitch down the left field line for a two-run double giving Chapman a 3-2 lead. Watson was 2-for-3 and drove in three runs.
That lead appeared safe with junior RHP Kevin Osaki on the mound. Osaki was terrific, but was lifted after surrendering a one-out single in the ninth having already thrown 130 pitches. He limited the Lutes to just four singles in 8.1 innings, however he was saddled with a no-decision in the end.
Pacific Lutheran RHP Jacob Otness (1-1) earned the win, allowing two hits and a run in three innings of relief.
The finale of the four-game series between Chapman and Pacific Lutheran will be played on Sunday at noon at Hart Park.