Chapman Stays Alive With Victory

Chapman reached the Division III Western Regional final, but the Panthers will have a difficult time going any farther.

The Panthers jumped to a seven-run lead, then hung on Friday to defeat host school Southwestern, 10-8, in an elimination game of the tournament in Georgetown, Texas.

Chapman advances to play rival Cal Lutheran today. Cal Lutheran defeated Chapman, 9-8, earlier in the day.

The Panthers (39-4) must defeat Cal Lutheran twice to advance to the Division III national semifinals. Chapman was led by Randall Stowasser, who had three hits, scored two runs, and drove in two in the victory over Southwestern. Adam Olow added two hits and three RBIs. Ryan Bray also had a two-run single.

Chapman built a 3-0 advantage over Cal Lutheran earlier Friday but couldn’t hold the lead. The Panthers were led by Eric Albright, who had three RBIs, and Domonek Prince, who added two.

Chris Tahan went five for five and drove in two runs, including the game-winner with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning for Cal Lutheran.

Tahan singled to left with the bases loaded to drive in Brian Malchow from third. Malchow reached on an error, was sacrificed to second and went to third on a single by pinch-hitter Nick Lawson.

The final run by the Kingsmen broke an 8-8 tie that Chapman forged with five runs in the last three innings.

Chapman has suffered two of its losses at the hands of the Kingsmen (30-12). Cal Lutheran also beat Chapman, 6-2, on May 1, to snap a 17-game winning streak by the Panthers.

“We have our backs up against the wall, but I think this is the kind of team that can win two straight against a quality team like Lutheran,” Chapman Coach Rex Peters said. “We just have to play our game and the rest will take care of itself.”

In a nonconference game:

Miami 9, Long Beach State 7--Lala Esquivel had three hits and Mark Walker drove in three runs for visiting Miami, which scored twice in the seventh to take a 9-6 lead at Blair Field. Miami is 40-13.

Terrmel Sledge had his ninth home run for Long Beach (33-22).