Chapman Opens Baseball Regional With 5-1 Victory

Chapman starter Jeff Blitstein dominated Sul Ross University and the Panthers posted a 5-1 victory in its opening game of the NCAA Division III West Regional Thursday in Georgetown, Texas.

Blitstein (13-0) narrowly missed a shutout, giving up a run with one out in the top of the ninth inning.

Chapman (38-3) advanced in the double-elimination tournament to play Cal Lutheran today.

Blitstein was helped by four double plays, including one that ended the game. He also struck out five.

“When I have my sinkerball working I know exactly what to pitch when there’s a man on first base,” Blitstein said. “They were hitting a lot of balls on the ground. I was real comfortable out there.

“I wanted to come out and set the tone for the regional. The team is real relaxed now. We know what we’re capable of and we’re ready to take care of business.”

The game was scoreless until the fourth. Chapman’s Bobby Calderon led off with a line-drive single to center. Calderon advanced to second on a ground out by Matt Barcellona. With two outs, Brandon Maciel hit a grounder that Sul Ross second baseman Andy Mata made a diving play on, but his throw into the dugout allowed Maciel to score.

Chapman increased its lead in the fifth. Adam Olow led off with a single to left and stole second and third. Scott Montgomery followed with an RBI single to right that gave Chapman a 2-0 lead. Bobby Calderon hit a grounder to third baseman David Martinez, but his throw to first was wild, allowing Montgomery to score.

Chapman added to its lead in the eighth. Claderon led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on an error. Tony Serna knocked in Calderon with an RBI single to center. The lead increased to 5-0 on Maciel’s sacrifice fly to right that scored Serna.

“The kids were anxious and nervous at first, but they finally settled down and started converting some scoring opportunities,” Chapman Coach Rex Peters said.