ORANGE, Calif. – Spotty fielding and an old-fashioned pitchers’ duel were the themes of the day as No. 19 Linfield and Chapman split a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Hart Park.

The Wildcats (20-9, 15-6 NWC) committed six errors on the day, while Chapman (12-18) committed five.

Game 1
Five Linfield errors helped Chapman score all six of its runs, and the ‘Cats had no answer for All-American Brian Rauh, who threw a complete game shutout while recording 16 strikeouts and leading the Panthers to a 6-0 triumph over the Wildcats.

Chapman got off to a hot start, as a pair of fielding errors and a walk loaded the bases for James Parr. The junior left fielder pulled the first pitch he saw over the right-field fence to clear the bases and give the Panthers a commanding 4-0 lead early on.

The ‘Cats could not respond in the third or fourth, and Chapman tacked on two more runs thanks to a sacrifice fly from Mark Saatzer and an RBI-single from Charlie Piro.

Linfield had a chance in the seventh, putting runners on first and second with no outs. However, a fly out followed by two strikeouts silenced the rally and preserved the Panthers’ lead.

On the day, Rauh threw nine scoreless innings, allowing six hits and only one walk to go along with his 16 strikeouts.

Linfield starter Robert Vaughn was effective, but only lasted five innings and gave up six runs, none of which were earned. Andrew Villeneuve threw three scoreless innings of relief for the ‘Cats, and recorded two strikeouts and no walks, allowing just three hits.

Tim Wilson (Jr., Redmond, Wash.) recorded three hits for the ‘Cats, and Nate McClellan (Jr., Shoreline, Wash.) added a pair.

Parr was 3-for-4 with four RBI, a run scored and a walk for the Panthers, as his grand slam proved to be all the offense Rauh needed to record the win. Adam Coggan added three hits for the Panthers.

Game 2
Linfield ace Ryan Larson and Chapman’s Travis McGee locked horns in a pitcher’s duel, won 2-1 by the Wildcats.

The 'Cats got off to a hot start, as McClellan brought Kyle Chamberlain (Sr., Portland, Ore.) home with an RBI base hit to left to make the score 1-0.

The ‘Cats wasted no time, posting another run in the third when Kramer Lindell (Jr., West Linn, Ore.)’s fielder’s choice brought home Kenny Johnson (Jr., Federal Way, Wash.).

Larson took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, before surrendering a base hit to Adam Coggan. On the day Larson threw nine innings, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and improved his record to 6-1.
Chapman’s lone run came in the eighth, as three straight singles helped bring the Panthers within one.

The Wildcats sprinkled five hits off of McGee, including a double from Wilson and a base hit each from Chamberlain, Jordan Harlow (Sr., Baker City, Ore.), McClellan and Johnson.

AHEAD: The two teams finish up the four-game set Sunday with a doublheeader beginning noon at Hart Park. The ‘Cats look to build momentum off the win in Game 2 and clinch the series with a pair of victories.