No. 1 Chapman Loses in Softball, 1-0

Chapman College, the country’s top-ranked women’s softball team, lost, 1-0, Sunday to Cal State Hayward in first-round action in the Tournament of Champions at Cal State Northridge.

Hayward scored the game’s only run on a controversial call in the sixth inning which turned a ground out into a run-scoring infield hit.

With a runner on third and two out, Lisa Austin grounded to second base. She was called out at first, but Hayward appealed the call after the Chapman players had returned to the dugout. The call was reversed by the home-plate umpire, giving Hayward the lead.

Chapman (19-8) loaded the bases with none out in fifth, but failed to score. The Panthers will play Tuesday at the University of San Francisco.