INMAN, S.C. – Prior to Tuesday’s Region 3-3A clash against Travelers Rest, six seniors – Kole Brown, Cole Daugherty, Lawson Harris, Peyton Hodge, Hudson Moss, and Carson Seymour – for their contributions to the Chapman Panther baseball program.
On the diamond, a superb effort on the mound and two key hits in the late innings helped Chapman bounce back for a 7-3 victory over the Devildogs. A Chapman miscue on a double play attempt put a pair of Travelers Rest runners aboard with only one out in the first inning. A Colby Epps two-out single plated both runners and staked the Devildogs to an early lead. Travelers Rest later picked up a solo home run in the third, extending its lead to a 3-1 margin. Bryson Cothran was quite effective on the hill for Chapman, as he maintained control and retired the Devildogs in order five times during the contest. The sophomore right-hander tossed a complete game, yielding three runs (one earned) on four hits, while striking out five. “Being down 2-0 in the first inning was tough,” said Chapman head coach J.D. Goodwin. “We got a double play ball and went to make the feed, but the sun was in our eyes. It was just one of those crazy things that happens, but I’m glad that didn’t define the ballgame for us.” “(Bryson) has shown some maturity. That was a big game… There is a lot of weight on your shoulders as a sophomore, but he didn’t bat an eye. He competed and gave us more than we could’ve asked for tonight.” Chandler Cartee drew a leadoff walk for the Panthers in the third, working his way back from an 0-2 count for the free pass on eight pitches. Brown and Colt McPeters each recorded a base hit, while Cartee sprinted home following a Devildog error and Brown advanced to third. Hank Tolleson’s sacrifice bunt along the first base side plated Brown and tied the game at 3-3. Brown smashed a one-out double to left-center, advanced to third on a Travelers Rest miscue, and crossed home plate when Daugherty smoked a scorching single to left, which gave Chapman a 4-3 lead, its first of the game. “At first, I was just trying to get the runner over to third,” Daugherty stated. “And then, they had an error that let him move over. I knew that I had to get the job done, drive the runner in, and try to help the team out. I have had a really good time over my years of playing baseball here. It has been really fun.” Chapman’s first two batters in the sixth – Lawson Harris and Lewis McAlister – each reached on hit-by-pitch and walk, respectively. Pinch runner Brody Haynes later scored from third on a Cothran bunt single. Next up to bat was Hodge, who sliced a two-run single the opposite way to right that plated McAlister and Jake Santoro (courtesy runner for Cothran), providing the final margin of 7-3. “Coach Goodwin called a slash,” Hodge remarked. “When I got that sign, I knew that I was ready for that slash. I want to be dependable, and the guy people can count on to get things done. My time with the program means a lot. There’s tons of relationships and experiences that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t play baseball. Both coaches – Fusaro and Goodwin – were amazing to me. They both gave me opportunities that I’ve loved being a part of. The experiences and memories I have made are the greatest takeaway.” “(The seniors) are special kids,” Goodwin stated. “I have loved getting to work with and being around them. They are unbelievable young men. They do what you ask them to do and play hard. I’m just super proud that we could get them a win on senior night.” Brown and Daugherty led the Panthers at the plate, as each went 2-for-4 with a combined three runs scored. Hodge was 1-for-3 with two runs batted in, while Cothran (1-for-3) and Tolleson (1-for-2) each notched a run batted in. Chapman (11-9, 5-2) will play their Region 3-3A finale at Travelers Rest on Thursday, April 18th, slated for a 7:30 PM start. Comments are closed.
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