INMAN, S.C. – Chapman opened a home-and-home series on Wednesday evening against a familiar opponent in the Clinton Red Devils. A solid start and key hits propelled the Panthers to an 11-0 victory over Clinton in five innings.
Jacob Cogdell took the mound for Chapman and settled in quickly with a strikeout and two lineouts to work around a one out base runner. The right-hander, a Newberry College commit, scattered two hits over four innings of work while striking five Red Devil batters and inducing three groundouts, as well as a trio of lineouts. Chapman sent 10 up to bat in the opening frame, as leadoff man Hudson Moss was hit by a pitch and later scored on a Kole Brown double to right-center field. Cason Owens ripped a single down the left field line & scored on an error that also allowed Coleman Gray to reach. With the bases loaded, Jack Settle drew a free pass the hard way, allowing Johann Rodriguez to score. Peyton Hodge smacked a two-RBI double to left, which made for a 5-0 Panther lead. “Every team we try to play is to make us better,” said Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro. “We have a ton of respect for Clinton. Coach McCarthy does an amazing job down there, and those kids are well coached and play extremely hard. We want to play great teams and we feel like Clinton is a great team.” With two aboard in the third inning, senior shortstop Jarren Metcalf sent a 1-1 offering the opposite way to right field, which allowed both Owens and Gray to cross home plate. On the play, the relay throw to third was offline, allowing Metcalf to score and make it an 11-0 advantage. “I just take a line drive approach,” Metcalf stated. “I put the ball backside and sprinted hard out of the box. As I rounded second, Coach Fu told me to keep going. I saw the ball go down (the line), then rounded third and scored. We’re one heck of a team and we’re getting better every day.” Brown notched two hits, a pair of doubles, a run scored, and two runs batted in, while Owens also tallied a pair of hits and accounted for three runs. Gray and Moss also scored two runs apiece, while Rodriguez and Devin Roe each tallied a run batted in. “I was excited about our energy and the way we approached the game,” Fusaro remarked. “The sky's the limit for this team, but the big thing is just continuing to get better every single day. It’s really easy when things are going good to be complacent, and that’s when people catch up to you. We’re working really hard to stay focused on getting better in every facet of the game and our overall approach to things.” Next up for Chapman (11-3) is a non-region road contest against Clinton on Thursday. The game is slated for a 7:30 PM start. INMAN, S.C. – Chapman kicked off the week with a non-region showdown against the Woodruff Wolverines. A solid outing and several contributions at the plate powered the Panthers to a 11-0 victory over the Wolverines in five innings.
Reagan Garrett took to the circle and found a groove early on, striking out five of the first 10 batters she faced. The right-hander tossed a gem and only surrendered one hit in four innings of work. Garrett also helped her own cause at the plate with three hits, two runs scored, and a run batted in. “(Reagan) typically helps herself out at the plate,” said Chapman head coach Casey Green. “That’s why she is our number four batter right now. She does a great job. She has played a lot of ball and knows the importance of being able to do that.” Chapman struck for four runs in the opening frame, as Autumn Fisher singled and later scored on a Rylan Ivey triple to right field. Ivey crossed home plate on a Sarah Byrd RBI groundout, while Garrett touched home plate on a Sophie Whitley RBI base hit. Abby Gossett doubled and later scored on a Wolverine error, which made for a 4-0 Panther lead. Ivey, a sophomore outfielder, also recorded an RBI double in the second and two-run home run to left-center field in the third. The sophomore outfielder finished the night 3-for-4 at the plate with a team-high four runs batted in, narrowly missing out on hitting for the cycle. “My goal was to just hit the ball hard, get on base, and be a runner,” Ivey stated. “It was hard at first (after basketball season) because I had to really earn my spot. I went from not playing to batting second in the lineup and I really worked hard for it.” “She’s been hitting the ball hard consistently for us over these last couple of games,” Green added. “She knew that she had to work her tail off to get her position and she hasn’t let up since. She came here fighting for a job and keeps proving herself every time. It’s grit.” Kylie Hitchcock broke up the no-hit bid on an infield single with two outs in the fourth, but Garrett quickly retired the side by striking out the next batter on three pitches. Byrd notched two hits, a run scored, and three runs batted in, while Whitley also tallied a pair of hits and drove in two runs. Krislyn Wilder also recorded a base hit, drew a walk, and scored twice for the Panthers. “We hit the ball great,” Green remarked. “We had solid contact from the first inning onward. Being able to jump out with four runs from a pitching standpoint always makes it easier because it allows the pitching to set in and get more comfortable.” Next up for Chapman (8-3) is a non-region road doubleheader against Chesnee on Thursday. The twin bill is slated for a 5:30 PM start. INMAN, S.C. – Chapman closed out its Region 3-3A series with the Broome Centurions on Friday, as a superb outing and numerous contributions at the plate propelled the Panthers to a 11-1 victory over the Centurions in five innings.
Wesley Shipman took the hill and sat down the first six batters in order, including four by way of strikeout. The southpaw also navigated around a pair of Centurion scoring threats in the latter two innings with five more strikeouts and a fly out to center. Shipman tossed a complete game, yielding an unearned run and scattering three hits while tallying 11 strikeouts. “I wanted to go out and attack early,” Shipman said when asked about his focus on the mound. “Do what you can and don’t do too much. I loved being able to go out there, have a lead, and just work with it.” A Hudson Moss leadoff triple to center and Cason Owens sacrifice fly staked Chapman to a 1-0 lead in the opening frame. Coleman Gray led off the second with a double and scored on a Jarren Metcalf base knock. With two on, Peyton Hodge singled to right, which drove in Metcalf and Devin Roe. Hodge scored on a Johann Rodriguez infield hit, while Moss touched home plate during a rundown, which made it a 6-0 Panther lead. “It’s been a mental thing,” stated Hodge about the process of earning more opportunities. “The swing is down, but just getting mentally prepared to go in there thinking you’re going to hit the ball, and you do it. I was just making the most of the situation tonight and doing my job. When someone’s on base, you can trust anyone one through nine (in the lineup) to bring them in.” Broome’s Jackson Fowler and Bryson Arrowood reached base to begin the third on a hit-by-pitch and error, respectively. Fowler later scored on a Panther error and made it a 6-1 deficit at that juncture of the contest. A Jack Settle sacrifice fly once again made it a six run advantage. A Rodriguez two-RBI base hit, Hodge RBI triple, and Moss RBI double accounted for the last four runs of the contest. Hodge and Rodriguez each tallied a pair of hits and three runs batted in. Moss notched three hits and three runs scored, while Metcalf and Roe also had two hits and two runs scored apiece. “We told our guys to forget about Tuesday,” Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro said. “Today is a new day. We knew it would be a different pitching order by (Broome) and knew they’d come back, ready to play. I wanted our guys to match the intensity and play the game the right way.” “Every time (Shipman) takes the mound, he gets a little better. Tonight, I thought he had much better command with his fastball. He’s going to be a really good arm… as he gets the fastball command down, he’s got a chance to be one of the better lefties we’ve had in a long time. Hodge has been battling, trying to earn more playing time. We’ve known he can hit, but he just had to believe in himself and this year, he’s been all over it (and) I’m just so proud of him. He’s a high character kid that works his butt off and deserves every opportunity that he gets.” Next up for Chapman (10-3, 4-0 Region 3-3A) is a non-region home contest against Clinton on Wednesday. The game is slated for a 7:45 PM start. SPARTANBURG, S.C. – It was a return to Region 3-3A play on Tuesday evening as Chapman hit the road for a matchup against the Broome Centurions. The Panthers jumped ahead early on the way to a 17-0 win over Broome in three innings.
Two of the first three Chapman hitters – Hudson Moss and Kole Brown – reached on a base hit and walk, respectively. Moss swiped second base and took third on an error before scoring on a wild pitch. Next up was Johann Rodriguez, who hit a two-run shot to left field and staked the Panthers to a 3-0 Panther lead midway through the opening frame. Rodriguez finished the game with two hits and five runs batted in. “You always want to jump on the pitcher early, get the pitch count up, and keep attacking,” said Rodriguez. “Getting runs in will help Cogdell do his thing on the mound. I want to hit the ball all over the field, whether I’m in the cages or hitting off a tee. I’ll set the tee on the outer plate and drive the ball that way.” Jacob Cogdell toed the slab for Chapman and worked around a pair of base runners in the first inning with a strikeout, pickoff, and groundout to end the threat. On the night, the right-hander tossed a no-hitter and finished with five strikeouts. “My mindset is always to attack the hitters,” Cogdell said. “Don’t try to overthrow, locate and trust in (pitching coach Jason) Settle and the defense behind me, and we’ll get the job done. Johann has been back there (catching) since we were eight. He’s always going to be my dog, no matter what.” Chapman saw contributions throughout the lineup, as Devin Roe and Wesley Shipman each tallied a pair of hits and two runs batted in. Moss also knocked in two runs on a double, while Jarren Metcalf, Kole Brown, and Jack Settle each recorded an RBI. “I’m just so proud of our guys,” stated Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro. “I’ve got a ton of respect for Coach (Ben) Waddle and Broome. We prepared all day (on Monday) for this game, from the things they try to do on the defensive side and offensively. (Johann) has worked his tail off... I’m just so proud of him not resting on being a great player (and) his continued effort to make himself the best that he can be.” “Cogdell has been big time… we gave him some run support tonight and he did what he’s done all year. He busts his tail in the weight room and works to perfect his craft. I tell the team all the time to realize how blessed they are to be in this moment, with all of us together.” Next up for Chapman (9-3, 3-0 Region 3-3A) is a non-region road contest against Chesnee on Wednesday. The game is slated for a 6 PM start. GREENVILLE, S.C. – Saturday was the opportunity of a lifetime as the Chapman Panthers and Greer Yellow Jackets met on the diamond at Fluor Field.
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead but had to hold off a late charge from the Yellow Jackets for a wire-to-wire 8-6 victory. Chapman struck in the top of the first as Hudson Moss and Cason Owens reached on a single and hit-by-pitch, respectively. Moss advanced to third via two stolen bases and scored on a double steal with Owens moving to second. Owens touched home plate on a Greer error, staking the Panthers to a 2-0 lead. Jack Settle took the hill in the bottom of the frame and worked around a two-out base runner, notching a pair of groundouts and a strikeout. The right-hander yielded two unearned runs and two hits to the Yellow Jackets, while striking out six batters and walking four. “I had full confidence in the defense to make plays behind me,” said Settle. “I was being myself and being confident. Having a lead helps a lot, knowing that your guys have your back at the plate. Just go out there and do your thing (on the mound), and they will handle business in the box.” In the third, Kole Brown doubled and scored on a Johann Rodriguez two-bagger, while Cole Daugherty (courtesy runner for Rodriguez) scored from second base during a two-out rundown. Devin Roe walked and later crossed home plate on a Wesley Shipman base hit, extending the Panther advantage to 5-0. “We’re playing really good baseball,” Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro said. “If you take away one inning the other night and one inning tonight, we’re hitting on all cylinders. We are far from being a perfect product and our goal is to be playing our best baseball at the end of the season, but we have to play really good baseball next week (in region play).” Lawson Harris entered the game in the sixth for Chapman and worked around a bases loaded, none out situation with two strikeouts and a fly out to left. The Panthers scored three times in the seventh on a Coleman Gray triple, Roe double, and a Jarren Metcalf base knock for a six-run lead going to the bottom of the inning. Greer rallied for four runs in their final at bat, but Chapman southpaw Jesse Raines tallied a game-ending strikeout to secure the 8-6 victory. “We had to finish it right there,” Fusaro added. “Our lineup is set up where it’s one through five and then it starts over again with Metcalf being that second leadoff batter, with him and Roe being the one-two hitters. Jack bats eighth, but we look at it as batting third and same with Shipman in the nine hole (batting fourth)... The three straight hits right there to score runs were huge and we needed every one of them.” Being able to take the field and play at Fluor Field also meant a lot on a personal level to Settle, a senior on the team. “It was surreal,” Settle exclaimed. “I always came here to watch the Greenville Drive when I was little and always wondered if I would be able to pitch on that field. It was just a great feeling.” Next up for Chapman (8-3) is a road Region 3-3A contest against Broome on Tuesday. The game is slated for an 8 PM start. SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. – Thursday marked the fourth game in three days for the Chapman Panthers as they faced the Hillcrest Rams in a game moved up by 24 hours due to forecasted inclement weather on Friday.
After a strong start, one big inning proved to be the difference down the stretch as Hillcrest rallied for a 9-8 victory over Chapman, splitting the two-game series between the clubs. Over the first four innings, Chapman put together a string of solid at-bats. In the opening frame, Hudson Moss and Cason Owens reached on a walk and double, respectively. Kole Brown drove in Moss on a sacrifice fly to right, while Owens scored on a Johann Rodriguez single to right-center field and gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Devin Roe smashed a double down the left field line and crossed home plate on a Peyton Hodge sacrifice fly in the second. Chapman plated a pair of runs in the third off a Ram error, while Coleman Gray blasted a three-run double to left in the fourth. “When we were locked in, focused, and playing the game the right way (early), there were tons of good at bats,” said Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro. “There were a lot of times where we lined out tonight. Late in the game, I didn’t think our at bats were terrible, but it’s really hard to turn it on, turn it off, and turn it back on. These guys know that God’s blessed them with awesome abilities, but we’ve got to keep putting that ability on full display.” Hillcrest (5-1) began mounting a rally in their third turn at the dish as Hunter Davis sent a pitch over the right field wall for a two-run shot, which cut the Chapman lead down to three. Two innings later, the Rams offense found a groove. “I felt like we had a good approach early,” remarked Hillcrest head coach Grant Ramsey. “We structured our pregame and batting practice a little bit differently. We talked about attitude and effort, and I got attitude and effort tonight. You put (Chapman) on the schedule because they make you better. Playing against them early lets you see playoff and state championship caliber." The first three Hillcrest batters in the fifth inning reached on two walks and a base hit to load the bases with none out. Alex LaCoste’s RBI walk set things into motion as eleven Rams came up to bat and scored seven runs, keyed by two hits – one apiece by Tyson Moses and Elijah Doll – for a 9-8 Hillcrest lead. “We’ve just got to continue to do what we do,” Fusaro stated. “I felt like we got a little complacent – myself included. In this game, you can’t be complacent. You have to continue to play it with the same intensity every single pitch. We’re going to learn from it and we’re going to be better.” Next up for Chapman (7-3) is a non-region game against Greer on Saturday at Fluor Field, home of the Greenville Drive. The game is slated for a 5:00 PM start. INMAN, S.C. – It was a rematch of sorts from the Sanders Tournament as the Chapman Panthers hosted the Hillcrest Rams on Wednesday evening. A stellar performance on the hill and a pair of multi-run innings lifted the Panthers to a 6-1 victory over the Rams.
Alex LaCoste singled and later scored on a Panther error, which staked the Rams to an early 1-0 lead in the opening frame. A couple of innings later, Chapman answered. Hudson Moss ripped a leadoff double down the left field line in the third, advanced to third base on a Cason Owens bunt single, and crossed home plate on a Kole Brown sacrifice fly. Owens swiped second on a wild pitch and scored on Johann Rodriguez’s single to right-center, which gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead. Rodriguez went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Moss also notched two hits on the night. “I’m just so proud of our guys,” said Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro. “We pitched well and played good defense. Jacob Cogdell was phenomenal, and our lineup battled all night, and had some good at bats. This is Chapman baseball (and) that’s what we do. It was a lot of fun to be a part of tonight.” After Owens drew a leadoff walk in the fifth, Kole Brown launched the first offering he saw over the left-center field wall for a 4-1 Panther advantage at that juncture of the contest. On the evening, Brown was 1-for-2 with three runs batted in. “I was just thinking about being aggressive early in the count,” Brown recalled. “I got a first-pitch fastball, took a good swing, and got a hold of it. We had to keep our heads up and remember that we can play really good baseball if we play how we can play (and) we were able to come back and put up some runs.” The thing I love about Kole for (our team) is that he’s fearless,” Fusaro remarked. “He has a confidence to him that is infectious and he’s one of my favorite people to be around. It’s great to watch how he carries himself (and) his workmanlike attitude. He hasn’t gotten off to the start he’s wanted by everyone else’s numbers, but he’s been so close. I’m super excited and proud for him to be part of our team.” Chapman right-hander Jacob Cogdell was in complete command on the mound, tallying 10 strikeouts and holding the Rams to an unearned run on two hits in a complete game effort. It didn’t take long for the senior to find a groove once the game began. “I was just keeping them off balance, attacking with the curveball and fastball,” stated Cogdell. “I really focus (on each start), think about it, and get ready to go attack and fight. Our guys were battling all night, and, in the end, it all worked out.” Devin Roe and Coleman Gray each added an RBI single in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, that provided the final margin for the contest. Chapman (7-2) faces a quick turnaround as they travel to Hillcrest for game two of the home-and-home series on Thursday, with a scheduled start time of 7:30 PM. GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Chapman Panthers opened the Region 3-3A portion of their schedule on Tuesday evening by traveling one county over for a doubleheader against the Carolina Trojans.
Chapman took control early on the way to a sweep of the Trojans, winning game one 21-0 and game two by a 18-0 tally, tossing a pair of combined no-hitters. In the first game, Jack Settle got the starting nod and was very effective, striking out five of the eight batters he faced. Carson Seymour toed the slab for the last frame and tallied two strikeouts of his own to close out the contest. For game two, Lawson Harris earned his second start of the season and did his part by striking out five out of six Trojan batters in that span. Southpaw Cole Daugherty finished out the game and notched two strikeouts in the final frame. “I was really excited for Jack and Lawson,” Chapman head coach Steven Fusaro said. “I thought both continued to do what they’ve been doing all year – come in and pound the strike zone. To be able to throw a no-hitter anytime is a lot of fun. I’m excited about the way those guys worked on the mound tonight.” At the plate, Jarren Metcalf went 3-for-5 with six runs batted in while also scoring four times. Daugherty and Johann Rodriguez each went 2-for-3 with three RBI, along with five combined walks between them. Harris, Wesley Shipman, Hudson Moss, Devin Roe, and Jacob Cogdell also drove in two runs apiece. “Our guys played with a lot of energy,” remarked Fusaro. “We were able to get a lot of guys into the games and every person on our team had success at some level tonight. Anytime that you can get two region wins, that’s big.” The doubleheader sweep marked the 149th and 150th career victories for Fusaro, dating back to his first season at the helm in 2013. The accolade was significant, but he was very quick to deflect the credit those around him. “We’ve had some unbelievable players and coaches since 2013 who have poured everything into this program,” Fusaro stated. “Coach Settle and I have been together (on the coaching staff) since the very first win to now. The wins technically go to me, but we would not be here without the efforts of these guys." “Our program is about making memories and building relationships that last a lifetime. When I’m done coaching, those are going to be the things that are going to matter the most to me.” Next up for Chapman (6-2, 2-0 Reg. 3-3A) is a home non-region contest against the Hillcrest Rams on Wednesday, with a scheduled start time of 7:45 PM. INMAN, S.C. – Monday marked the start of Region 3-3A play for the Chapman Panthers boys soccer team as they played host to the Carolina Trojans. Neither side surrendered a goal in 90 minutes of game time, which resulted in penalty kicks.
In the end, Chapman emerged from the shootout with a 4-1 victory over Carolina. In the first 40 minutes of the contest, the two clubs combined for seven shots on goal. Chapman had a few looks at the net, including two corner kicks. The Trojans had a pair of chances from 12 yards and in, but Panther netminder Daniel Johnson turned both shots away. “We do a good job of teaching defense,” said Chapman head coach Chris DowDell, who picked up his 199th career win. “The kids do a great job of listening and doing what we ask defensively behind the ball. We always say that if you’re not with the ball, you can always have a good night against it. You can always give yourself a chance to win if you keep a clean sheet and grind out the result.” Carolina spent a portion of the second half with possession on the offensive end, but Chapman’s defensive alignment did their part to keep the Trojans off the board and eventually sent the contest to penalty kicks. Chapman rattled off four makes in as many attempts in the shootout as Brandon Vallecillo, Rowan Block, John Anderson, and Carson Desjardins each found the back of the net. Johnson also recorded saves on two of the three attempts by Carolina. “(Johnson) was spectacular,” DowDell stated. “He’s going to be one of the best goalkeepers in our region and really in the area. His athleticism and shot-stopping ability are spectacular. He’s good with the ball at his feet, but at the same time, he’s growing into the game tactically. He’s starting to understand when to come out (from goal) to get the ball, how to distribute, and you can always count on him.” Chapman (5-0-1) will travel to face Carolina on Thursday evening, with a scheduled start time of 7 PM. BOYS GOLF – Blue Ridge 155, Chapman 170, Travelers Rest 188 In a region showdown at Cherokee Valley on Monday evening, seventh grader Will McCraw posted the lowest individual score on the day for the Panthers, allowing him to earn medalist honors for his team in the match. Chapman will hit the links on Wednesday for a Region 3-3A match against the Broome Centurions. The start time is slated for 4 PM. SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A home-and-home series between the Chapman Panthers and Spartanburg Vikings concluded on Thursday night at Historic Duncan Park with a contest moved up by 24 hours to avoid inclement weather.
It was deadlocked just past the midway point, but an offensive explosion and a superb outing on the hill powered Chapman to a 10-1 victory over Spartanburg. Scoring was hard to come by early on because of how effective both starting pitchers – Chapman’s Jacob Cogdell and Spartanburg’s Emory Butehorn – were for their respective side. The Vikings struck first in the second inning as a runner scored on a Dee Davis RBI groundout for a 1-0 lead. Chapman answered in the fourth inning as Kole Brown drew a leadoff walk on four pitches, advanced to third on a Viking error, and crossed home plate on a Johann Rodriguez sacrifice fly to center, tying the game at one. Later in the fifth, Spartanburg loaded the bases with two outs aided by two walks, but Cogdell induced an inning-ending fly out to right field and erased the threat. Cogdell did yeoman’s work on the mound, holding Spartanburg to one hit and an unearned run in five innings, while tallying four strikeouts and three walks. “Come in, attack, and go right at them,” Cogdell said when asked about his mentality on the mound. “We wanted to get them out, get back in the dugout, and score some runs. I was hitting my spots and locating (in the strike zone) with Johann back there (catching). Spartanburg has some big bats and came out swinging (in the series), which will help us going down the road when we run into big teams.” Lawson Harris entered the game in relief of Cogdell and tossed two scoreless frames for the save. The success of the Panthers’ pitching staff is attributed to one person in particular. “(Pitching coach Jason) Settle is unbelievable at calling pitches,” Fusaro exclaimed. “We’ve been together (on the coaching staff) for 12 years now and there’s no one else in the world I’d rather be out here with. He does a great job with our pitchers and he had Cogdell locked in from the start (tonight).” Butehorn held the Panthers hitless until the sixth inning, when Hudson Moss sent an opposite-field single to right, followed by a Cason Owens walk that put two on with none out. Two batters later, Rodriguez smacked a double down the left field line, which scored Moss and gave Chapman a 2-1 lead. Rodriguez went two-for-three at the plate with three runs batted in. “We’ve got to keep fighting each at bat and keep attacking the other team,” Rodriguez stated. “Once you do that, it gives you the power to keep hitting and competing. Coach Fu always talks about having good approaches at the plate and passing it on to the next batter. That’s what we did tonight.” Coleman Gray singled to left, plating Owens and Rodriguez for a three run Chapman lead. Devin Roe and Jack Settle each drew a walk and scored in the seventh, while Wesley Shipman tallied a base hit and run scored. Peyton Hodge also notched a pinch hit two-RBI single to left. Defensively, Jarren Metcalf made a diving stop on a ball that appeared bound for left field in the fourth inning. He then gathered and fired it to first base, where Settle secured it for the out. “Hats off to Jacob Cogdell,” Fusaro remarked. “He matched (Butehorn) and threw really well. I thought our swings and approach were much better. We were trying to find a spark and Hudson came through for us. We wouldn’t have been in that spot if it wasn’t for Jacob. I told our guys that somebody has to come through in the big moment. We were super excited that (Rodriguez) came through right there. I’m just so proud to be their coach and so proud of our program.” A busy week awaits Chapman (4-2), which begins with a Region 3-3A doubleheader on the road against the Carolina Trojans on Tuesday, March 14th with a scheduled start time of 5 PM. |
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