Chapman Wins Regional With Shutout

Chapman, led by the clutch hitting of sophomore Dawn Lopez and the pitching of Linsey Buendia, beat St. Thomas (Minn.), 5-0, Sunday in the championship game of the Division III West Regional at Hart Park.

The Panthers advance to the Division III finals in Eau Claire, Wis., starting Thursday.

“It was really good to win,” Lopez said.

Lopez finished the tournament five for 10 with eight RBIs. Two of her RBIs came on a bases-loaded single in the first inning Sunday. It was the fifth time in the tournament Lopez came to bat with the bases loaded.

“To me she’s the MVP of the tournament,” Coach Janet Lloyd said. “I don’t think she’s ever had a better tournament.”

Sophomore right-hander Linsey Buendia pitched a complete game after pitching into the ninth inning in Saturday’s semifinal-round victory over Pacific Lutheran (Wash). Buendia gave up three hits and struck out five Sunday.

“I was ready to go today,” Buendia said. “My arm was a little sore though.”

After pitching 8 1/3 innings the previous day, Lloyd was not sure about starting Buendia.

“I was up until about three this morning trying to deicide,” Lloyd said. “We decided to go with our ace who’s been doing a great job for us.”

The Panthers scored again in the second on a bases-loaded single by senior Jenni Bankus. Bankus went three for four with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.

Chrissy Lake scored in the fourth on a wild pitch. Stephanie Carew’s sacrifice fly later in the fourth allowed Bankus to score the Panthers’ fifth run.

Chapman will face Ithaca (N.Y.) in the first round of the NCAA Division III Finals Thursday.

Lopez said she is confident about the Panthers’ chances.

“I’m really excited, and want to win it all,” she said. “We have a really good chance. If we play our game there’s no way anybody can beat us.”