Stags nab a win against Chapman in weekend series

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps baseball team went 1-2 in the three game series with Chapman over the weekend. Sophomores Jack Witte and Clayton Brock led their team to battle against the now 8-4 (SCIAC) Chapman Panthers. CMS is now 3-9 in conference play and 5-12 overall.

Friday: Chapman 5, CMS 1

CMS' defense was not enough to contain the Chapman hitters in the first game of the series. Three Panther players hit doubles and the team totaled ten hits in the game. 

When the ball was hit in the infield, all four infielders - seniors Ray Hurwitz, Scott Witte and Michael Erb and sophomore Jack Witte - and the catcher Evan Opperman were involved in the four double plays turned by the Stags in just one game.

Senior John Rizzo had the game's only RBI with a two out double to left field scoring Opperman who had gotten on with a single.

The Stags had eight hits during the game but were unable to string them together to score the runs they needed.

Chapman scored first and then held CMS scoreless for the six final innings.

Saturday Game 1: CMS 3, Chapman 2

Despite the Panthers scoring right off the bat in the top of the first inning, the Stags kept their composure and answered with three runs of their own in the third.

In the bottom of the third, Hurwitz earned a lead off walk, junior Christian Hoxsie reached on a throwing error by the pitcher followed by Hurwitz stealing third base. Scott Witte walked to load the bases and allow Jack Witte to drive in the Stags' first run with a sacrifice fly to deep left field. Opperman came up with a clutch single through the left side to plate Hoxsie and then Erb singled to left scored Scott Witte for the Stags' third and final run.

CMS starter sophomore Clayton Brock and his defense held Chapman to two runs and played flawlessly. Senior Andor Kesselman stepped in in relief in the top of the ninth and secured the game for the win and  a save.

Saturday Game 2: Chapman 14, CMS 3

In the final game of the series, Chapman scored first again. CMS used eight pitchers and struggled to keep the Panthers at bay. This time the Stags were not able to fight back and win.

CMS scored one run in three different innings. In the bottom of the second, sophomore Samuel Woodman singled to the right side of the infield and then scored when Scott Witte singled through the left side.

Opperman singled in the bottom of the third inning and was bumped over to second base from a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Mackenzie Menthen. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Opperman scored on a single by Woodman to tie the game 2-2.

Chapman scored five unanswered runs before the Stags tacked on one more in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Going into the eighth inning, CMS was down 7-3. The Stags gave up seven in that inning alone and the game was called due to the mercy rule coming into effect after going scoreless in the bottom of the inning.

Chapman's Saatzer hit a three run homer in the top of the eighth.

The Stags are back in action at home on Tuesday (3/11) with a non-conference game against Ithaca at 3 pm and then on Friday (3/14) to start a three game series with La Verne that will continue with a double header on Saturday (3/15) at 11 am and 2 pm. 

Box Score: Friday Game

Box Score: Saturday Game 1

Box Score: Saturday Game 2

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