Chapman Looks for Replay at Nationals

The key to Chapman’s success at the Division III baseball championship series this weekend in Appleton, Wis., will likely be how well it duplicates its effort of last week at the Western Regional.

The Panthers (31-10-1), who open today at 2:30 p.m. against Allegheny (36-8), got timely hitting, good pitching and superior defense in sweeping the regional in Georgetown, Texas. The Panthers committed just two errors in winning three games and used only five members of its nine-man pitching staff, giving up just seven earned runs.

“We’ve got to play the same way we did in Texas,” said Eric Albright, a third baseman and reliever who saved two games during the regional to run his nation-leading total to 12. “We have to play great fundamental baseball and play like we have nothing to lose.”

Chapman is making its first appearance in the national championships since 1997 and Coach Rex Peters is expected to start staff ace Tim Huff (9-1) today.

Allegheny, from Meadville, Pa., is making its first appearance in the finals. The Gators are led by shortstop Brad Hensler, who is batting .431 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs.

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NCAA Baseball

Division III Regional

At Fox Cities Stadium, Appleton, Wis.

FRIDAY

Game 1: St. Thomas, Minn. (32-12) vs. Emory, Ga. (33-14), 8 a.m.

Game 2: Cortland State, N.Y. (35-7) vs. Montclair State, N.J. (37-6-1), 11:15 a.m.

Game 3: Allegheny, Pa. (36-8) vs. Chapman (31-10-1), 2:30 p.m.

Game 4: Southern Maine (35-12) vs. Wartburg, Iowa (40-7), 5:45 p.m.

SATURDAY

Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 8 a.m.

Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 11:15 a.m.

Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 5:45 p.m.

SUNDAY

Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 10 a.m.

Game 10: Game 5 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 1:30 p.m.

Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 5 p.m.

MONDAY

Pairings to be adjusted for Game 12 (10 a.m.) and Game 13 (1:30 p.m.) to match teams that have not played previously, or that have not played since first round.

TUESDAY

Game 14: Game 12 winner vs. Game 13 winner, 1:30 p.m.

Game 15: Championship game (if necessary), Game 11 winner vs. Game 14 winner, 5 p.m.