Chesnee, SC- Chapman baseball used a big first inning and an exciting final out to pull out a 5-3 victory over their longtime rival Chesnee in a road matchup on Monday night.
"I love these boys and these coaches," said Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro. "We are just trying to get them to realize how special they are and if these guys will continue to grind like this the sky is the limit." Chapman got three consecutive one out singles from Hudson Moss, Jarron Metcalf, and Walt Waddell in the top of the first inning and each later scored on bases loaded walks by Drew Settle, Johann Rodriguez, and Cason Owens. Landon Thompson worked to get the Eagles back into the game in the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff double but ended up stranded there. Moss reached base on a RBI single for Chapman before later scoring his second run of the game on a passed ball to put the Panthers up 5-0 over the Eagles. Chesnee loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning but a pop out along with back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning. The Eagles mounted a rally in the bottom of the sixth inning as Davis Rising, Ethan Lawson, and Carson Williamson each hit singles to start the inning before Tucker Johnson drove in the first run for the Eagles on a sacrifice groundout. Trace Berger came off the bench as a pinch hitter and laced an 0-2 liner to centerfield to drive in a pair of runs to pull the Eagles to within 5-3 of the Panthers. Chesnee worked to mount another rally in the seventh inning as they had two runners on with two outs when Carson Williamson hit a single to Chapman left fielder Landon Solesbee who make a near perfect throw to catcher Peyton Hodge to record the final out at the plate and give the Panthers the victory. "That was a heck of a play by Solesbee," said Fusaro. "We have so many guys that can contribute and he is one of seventeen guys who can contribute for us." Chesnee will be back in action on Wednesday night as they take on the Woodruff Wolverines at 7:30 PM while the Panthers will travel to Clinton on Tuesday with a 7:30 PM start time. INMAN, SC - On Tuesday morning the Chapman community celebrated in front of a large crowd in the school's auditorium the commitment of nine students who will be continuing their athletic careers at the college level next season.
Chapman had two members of the group sign to continue their careers in track and field as Emma Whitaker committed to compete at Anderson University and Elijah Hall elected to continue his career as a member of the Converse University track and field program. Whitaker, who will compete in both track and field as well as cross country at Anderson University, is one of the most decorated track athletes in Chapman history. She was the 3A cross country state champion as a junior in 2020 and in track holds school records in the 800m, 1600m, and the 4x800 events. "Emma is the type of athlete you dream about coaching," said Chapman head girls cross country coach Rachael Edwards. "She is the strongest willed and disciplined runner that I've ever met. According to the record books she's the greatest long-distance runner in Chapman history." Elijah Hall, a commit to Converse University, is a five-year member of the Chapman track and field program where he competes in the long jump, triple jump, and the 400m events. "Elijah is a great leader on our team," said Chapman head track coach Robert Gray. "He never complains and puts forth his best effort at each event and practice every time out. He's been a role model to our younger athletes, and I know he's going to be nothing but successful at Converse." Chapman baseball player Ricky Montalvo, who was also the football team's kicker, signed on Tuesday to continue his baseball career at Newberry University next season. In 2021 he was named the Region Player of the Year as well as being named to the SCHSL All-State team after going 7-1 in nine starts with an ERA of 1.24. While being a leader on the mound, Montalvo was also key in the Panthers offense as he batted .405 with three homeruns and 25 RBIs in the cleanup role. "Ricky has grown each year since he first came here as a ninth grader," said Chapman head baseball coach Steven Fusaro. "I think he grew from being on the spotlight as the placekicker in football and I like to think being part of the baseball program helped him grow as well. If you watch him pitch you don't see a shy guy but a competitor and someone who does everything he can to make sure his team wins." The softball team also saw a player sign on Tuesday as Lexie Krivicich signed to continue her softball career at Converse University next season. Krivicich is a three-year starter at the varsity level for the Panthers where she has been a critical piece to the Panthers success as an outfielder as well as a power hitter and slap hitter from the left side of the plate while excelling in the classroom. She will be majoring in biology with a minor in Spanish at Converse next year. "Lexi has been part of the Chapman program for five years and has been an integral part of the varsity program the last three years," said Chapman softball head coach Casey Green. "She's a great outfielder with a great work ethic and will be a tremendous asset for Converse next season." The Panthers had five athletes sign to continue their careers in football on Tuesday morning. Jonah Rollins, a versatile athlete for the Panthers last season, committed to continue his career at Erskine University next season. Rollins, who played all over the field for the Panthers, finished his senior season with 32 receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns. He will be joining fellow signee Andrew Melton at Erskine next season. "Jonah was like another coach on our staff," said Chapman head football coach Harry Cabaniss. "Whether it was X and O's or the morale of the team, he let us know where we were as a team. He's a true Chapman Panther and I hope one day I get the opportunity to hire him as a coach because we'll be a better place for it as we've become a better place because of his time here." Tim McClurkin also committed on Tuesday to continue his college career at the University of Fort Lauderdale next season. McClurkin, who played all over the field for the Panthers as well while earning All-Region honors, ended his career as the 15th leading receiver in Panther's history where he caught 80 passes for 988 yards and 8 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he also added 38 tackles and two interceptions. "Tim is a guy that puts his team in front of everyone else," said Cabaniss. "He's going to do whatever we ask of him and do it at a thousand miles per hour. We couldn't be happier for him to get this opportunity with Fort Lauderdale." Three of the athletes that committed on Tuesday were football players DJ Black (South Carolina), Drew Settle (Western Carolina), and Andrew Melton (Erskine). You can find a story we wrote about their commitments at this link. |
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