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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORANGE, Calif. – Postseason fates are on the line all weekend long at Hart Park as the Chapman University baseball team hosts a three-game season-ending series with visiting George Fox University (Ore.). However, the climate in the home dugout was much more comfortable on Friday night as the Panthers took the first game in the crucial series, 6-3, behind senior RHP Devin Drag’s 13th win of the season. George Fox (30-7), ranked No. 28 in Division III and fifth in the West Region, entered the series looking up at Chapman in the polls and needs a good showing to try to secure an at-large berth in the NCAA Division III regional playoffs. The Panthers are also in search of an at-large berth – and are hoping to host the regional tournament – ranked No. 2 in the nation and first in the West. Chapman (33-5) scored four runs and batting around in the second inning off of George Fox (30-7) starter Chris Albrecht. Sophomore IF Ryan Cavan doubled in a pair of runs and then scored on another double by senior OF Tyler Dean to give the Panthers a 4-0 lead. Chapman then capitalized on a fielding error in the third inning to score two unearned runs and the Panthers’ pitching made it stand up. Cavan finished the night 2-for-5 with three RBI Drag, who was backed up by terrific Chapman defense all night, allowed 13 hits in 8 2/3 innings, but allowed just one run entering the ninth. The Bruins rallied for a couple of runs in the last inning, until sophomore RHP Kurt Yacko got the final out on a strikeout with the tying run at the plate to earn his eighth save of the season. The win was the 13th of the year for Drag, who leads all of Division III in victories. It also tied a school record for most wins in a single season. The right-handed senior, currently at 27-2, needs one more win to tie the school’s career wins record. The win was Chapman’s sixth straight, giving the team its third winning streak of the year of six games or longer. The Panthers improved to 18-3 at home this season. Game two of the series will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday night and can be heard live on Chapman Radio.com. Game stats available online: |
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