Identical wins: Chapman takes two from Dallas 6-3

ORANGE, Calif. – The scores may have been identical, but the paths to get there were quite different. The Chapman University baseball team swept a doubleheader from visiting the University of Dallas on Saturday at Hart Park, each game by the same score of 6-3. In the first one, the Panthers backed an outstanding pitching performance from senior RHP Kevin Osaki, while they were out-hit in the second game riddled with a combined seven errors.

Game 1: Chapman 6, Dallas 3

Osaki allowed just six hits and struck out 10 in 8.1 innings on the way to his second win of the year. The right-hander gave up single runs in the fourth and eighth innings and then an unearned run in the ninth after being lifted. During one stretch in the sixth and seventh innings, he retired four of five batters via strikeout.

Chapman provided plenty of offense in return, breaking open a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with three runs, thanks to a two-run single by senior OF Andrew Carbajal. The Panthers added two more in the next inning when junior OF Greg Dillon doubled in a pair of runs to give Chapman a 6-1 lead. Senior OF Connor Battaglia went 3-for-3 for the Panthers and scored a pair of runs. Senior IF Mark Saatzer had two hits including a double.

Sophomore RHP Ben Vietze induced a game-ending flyout with the tying run at the plate in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2013-14/boxscores/20140405_n7yn.xml

Game 2: Chapman 6, Dallas 3

Just three of Chapman's six runs were earned and the Panthers were out-hit 9-8 in the game, but the result was the same for the Cardinal and Gray, defeating Dallas 6-3 to take the second game of the three-game weekend series.

Chapman (18-10) did the majority of its scoring in the first three frames, thanks to a two-run double by sophomore DH Matt Gandy in the first inning, an RBI single by Saatzer in the second and a pair of unearned runs in the third.

Senior RHP Taber Watson would make the lead standup, scattering nine hits and three runs (two earned) over six innings for his third win of the season. Sophomore RHPs Matt Smith and Braden Riddle tossed three hitless innings in relief to shut the door. Riddle earned his first save of the year with a pair of strikeouts in an inning and a third.

Sophomore C David Basen went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run for Chapman.

Boxscore: http://chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2013-14/boxscores/20140405_e2pw.xml

The Panthers improved to 9-4 at home this season. Chapman and Dallas will conclude the three-game series with a single game on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. at Hart Park.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#CUPanthers