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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman University’s early deficit was only a minor obstacle before both the defense and offense produced to defeat Cal State East Bay 9-4 on Saturday afternoon in baseball action at Hart Park. The win was the Panthers’ 14th straight overall and 13th consecutive at home. Chapman (22-2) fell behind early by two runs in the top of the first but, senior RHP Ryan Clear (6-1) worked 7 1/3 innings and gave up only one earned run, holding the Pioneers at bay as Chapman rallied behind him. Clear retired 12 consecutive batters from the fourth to eighth innings, a streak that was highlighted by a leaping over-the-wall catch by sophomore OF Ryan Hall that secured a fifth inning foul flyout. The Panthers scored four times in the third inning to take the lead for good. Chapman received RBI singles from junior IF/P Kurt Yacko and senior DH Stuart Hyman, as well as a sacrifice fly from senior OF Mike Vass during the third inning rally. Vass went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBIs and homered for the second straight game with a two-run shot in the fourth. Sophomore OF Ryan Prechtl also went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Yacko collected his eighth save of the season as East Bay tried to rally in the eighth. Yacko got Chapman out of a bases loaded jam by inducing a ground ball double play and added a pair of strikeouts in the ninth. He also contributed offensively going 2-for-5 with two RBI and tying a career-high with his sixth home run. The Pioneers (17-10) will try to avoid a series sweep on Sunday against Division III’s top-ranked Panthers. Game time is set for noon and the game will be carried live by Chapman Radio (www.chapmanradio.com).
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