INMAN, S.C. – On Thursday evening, three superb seniors – Autumn Fisher, Reagan Garrett, and Kayla Hardin – were given their crowns and recognized for their time in the Chapman Panther softball program prior to a Region 3-3A contest against the Travelers Rest Devildogs.
“They are three of the most positive kids that I’ve ever met,” Chapman head coach Casey Green exclaimed about the trio. “They are great teammates and are just fun to be around. I told them that this was a celebration and was not meant to be sad. We wanted to celebrate them and the impact they have had.” And celebrate they did, as an all-around effort propelled the Panthers to a 7-0 shutout victory over the Devildogs. Both starting pitchers – Garrett and Travelers Rest’s Carly Anderson – each retired six of the first seven batters over the first two frames of the game. However, it was the third turn at bat that proved to be the charm for the Panthers. Chapman’s Hailey Coley led off the third inning with a bunt single that split two defenders and advanced to second on a Krislyn Wilder sacrifice bunt. Autumn Fisher smashed a scorching liner to left field, plating Coley for a one run Panther lead. “It’s a great feeling,” said Fisher about the win. “It gives us a better chance to finish higher in the region and was a better overall performance for us as a team. It has been a really great experience and is very inclusive for everybody. I think the program suits everybody and it is not just about one person. It has given me many learning opportunities and made me grow as a person.” Rylan Ivey reached on a Devildog error that also allowed Fisher to score from second, while Reagan Garrett smoked a single to left that plated Ivey. Lael Raines (courtesy runner for Garrett) swiped second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Sophie Whitley RBI groundout that created a 4-0 Chapman lead after three innings. Travelers Rest notched a leadoff single in their half of the fourth, only to see Garrett and the Panther defense retire the next six Devildogs in succession over the next two innings. Ivey slashed an opposite-field single to left in the Panthers’ fourth, which drove in Kenslie Edwards and Coley for a six-run advantage. “This has been the best three years of school ball that I’ve ever had," Garrett remarked. “There are so many memories like winning region, district, home runs, and walking off games. Getting the shutout was a very happy moment. I am glad that all of us got to play, that we made good, hard outs, and that we all hit the ball.” The Devildogs saw two of their first three batters reach base safely in the sixth, but the Panthers tallied two lineouts and a groundout to first base, thwarting the threat. Coley tagged up from third and scored on a Fisher sacrifice fly to center in the bottom of the frame, which provided the final margin. “We challenged them to be focused at the plate,” said Green. “Last time we played (Travelers Rest), we left 17 or 18 runners on base. When somebody is out there, you’ve got to get them around and get them in. It may not be to hit a ball out of the park, but it may be hitting a grounder to the right side of the field so we can move runners. It’s about being focused at the plate, knowing what your job is, and that we need to get those base runners in.” Fisher, Garrett, and Whitley each went 1-for-3 at the plate and combined for four runs batted in, while Edwards also had a 1-for-3 night with a stolen base. Ivey was 1-for-4 with a run scored, two stolen bases, and two RBI, while Coley was 2-for-2 with two stolen bases and three runs scored. In the circle, Garrett tossed a complete game and scattered five hits, while also striking out five batters. Chapman (13-5, 5-2) will host Woodruff in a non-region contest on Monday, April 22nd, slated for a 6 PM start. Thursday’s Scoreboard Girls Soccer – Chapman 3, Travelers Rest 0 · Goals: Elliot Miller (2), Avery Holden · Next match: at Broome, 7 PM on April 22nd o A CHP win secures a share of Region 3-3A crown & forces a tiebreaker to determine the top seed in region. Boys Golf – Chapman finished 5th at Ponderosa Shootout · Team score of 328 · Lowest scores for the Panthers o Will McCraw – 73 § Second-lowest individual round for tournament § Named to All-Tournament Team o Wesley Shipman – 76 Baseball – Travelers Rest 3, Chapman 2 · Next game: at Chesnee, 7:30 PM on April 23rd Boys Soccer – Travelers Rest 2, Chapman 1 · Next match: home vs Broome, 7 PM on April 23rd 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. CHESNEE, S.C. – With two weeks left in the regular season, two area softball teams met in a non-region tilt as the Chesnee Eagles hosted the Chapman Panthers. It was a tightly contested battle between the two clubs, but when the dust settled, Chapman picked up a 4-3 win over the Eagles.
Chesnee struck in the first inning when Claire Owens singled and later scored on a Chapman error. Skylar Barrett reached base on the error and sprinted home on a Delani Wright triple to right. Wright scored on a passed ball, which made for a 3-0 Eagle lead. Chapman’s Sam McPhail drew a one-out walk in the second, advanced on a passed ball, and touched home plate on an Alexis Floyd opposite-field single to right, cutting the deficit to a 3-1 score. The Eagles looked poised to extend the lead in the third following an Ansley Blanton double to right-center, but two groundouts ended the frame. “I won’t even lie,” said Chapman head coach Casey Green. “Not playing solid defense and the score going to 3-0 just like that in the first inning, it was a little bit of a panic just because of losing to Blue Ridge on Friday. I am just proud of them for chipping away.” Krislyn Wilder worked a walk in the fourth for the Panthers and rounded the bases on a Kenslie Edwards double to center, which trimmed the deficit down to a 3-2 margin. An error to begin the fifth inning put Chapman’s Hailey Coley in scoring position. Two batters later, Rylan Ivey put down a bunt single on the first base side, which allowed Coley to score and tie the game at three. “We’re proud of their effort and the energy from the dugout,” said Chesnee head coach Tripp Fogle. “Obviously, there are some at-bats and plays that we would like to have back. Softball’s not a game of perfection – it is a game of adjusting to the next pitch that is coming. Our girls kept fighting.” Fisher led off the Panthers’ last at bat with a bunt single before swiping second. Reagan Garrett sliced an opposite-field single to right, which saw Fisher cross home plate for a 4-3 Chapman lead and provided the final margin. “We’ve struggled with bunting,” Green stated. “I was thinking that if we get nothing else out of this game, we were going to at least have some bunt attempts. My girls became confident in bunting, so they called their own on a couple of those. I don’t mind them doing that if they read the defense and they are confident with it.” Claire Owens was the lone hitter in the contest to record multiple hits on either side, as she went 2-for-4 with a run scored for Chesnee, while Blanton, Wright, and Faith Wall each recorded one hit in three at-bats. Bella Rollins also notched four strikeouts in the circle for the Eagles. “Claire is an eighth grader and works her tail off,” Fogle exclaimed. “She takes her at-bats very seriously. She is just a spark plug for us and a great kid. When you work hard, things will pay off for you.” Garrett went 1-for-3 with a run batted in and tossed a complete game with four strikeouts. Fisher and Ivey each went 1-for-4, while Edwards (1-for-2, RBI) and Floyd (1-for-3, RBI) also recorded hits for the Panthers. Chapman (12-5) will host Travelers Rest in a Region 3-3A contest on Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. There will be a ceremony recognizing the senior softball players prior to the game. Chesnee has a quick turnaround, as the Eagles will make the trek over to Blacksburg for a 6:00 PM contest on Tuesday, April 16th. INMAN, S.C. – Eighty minutes.
That is what stood between the Chapman Panthers boys soccer team and a date with history as they faced the Blue Ridge Tigers in a Region 3-3A tilt on Friday night. A quick start was the catalyst as Chapman emerged with a 4-2 victory over Blue Ridge, clinching a share of the region title with two matches left to play. This also marks the first time in program history that the Panthers have won three region championships in succession. In the seventh minute, Chapman captain Brandon Vallecillo wasted little time, as he dribbled down the left side of the pitch, blew by a defender, and pulled the cord on a scorching strike for an early 1-0 lead. Four minutes later, Carson Desjardins received a pass and sent home a shot from nine yards out, creating a two goal advantage for the Panthers. The Tigers sliced the deficit in half with a goal on a try from 10 yards away, which made it a 2-1 score at the interval. “That was a relief,” Chapman head coach Chris DowDell said about the two early goals. “We knew that Brandon had a good matchup. He has a couple of moves that when he puts that move on, there is nobody that can run with him when he gets in behind (the defense) like that. We had a couple good days of training and were able to flip the switch a little bit earlier tonight.” “They outshot us 4-2 in the first 20 minutes of the game, but one of ours went in. The next thing you know, it’s 6-3 in shots, but we were winning 2-0. It’s not just the shot or chances you create, but it’s finishing those chances. We have guys that can finish those chances.” Less than three minutes into the second stanza, the Panthers attempted a corner kick from the right. Desjardins tracked the kick perfectly into the six yard box and scored with a header for a 3-1 lead. Vallecillo took a pass down the left half of the pitch into the 18 yard box and netted his second goal on a play where he worked around two defenders, extending the Chapman lead to three in the 62nd minute. Blue Ridge notched their second marker of the match with less than four minutes left on a shot from close range, providing the final margin of 4-2. Mario Armendariz tallied a pair of assists, while Matthew Steading added another for Chapman. Landon Pruitt and Cody Benstead combined to make four saves in the net for the Panthers. Chapman (10-2, 6-0 Region) will return to action on Thursday, April 18th at Travelers Rest, slated for a 7 PM kick. Before the game, Vallecillo and Isaac Andryushenko were recognized during Senior Night festivities for their contributions to the program. “Isaac didn’t play for me during my first year here (due to injury),” DowDell recalled. “He came in last year and started to build himself back up until he got more minutes as the year went on… he is such a natural leader. I will tell him that he had a good game and he’ll say, ‘I’ve got a lot to work on, Coach.’ That’s the kind of guy he is.” “In 24 years (of coaching), Brandon is probably the most talented overall player I’ve ever worked with. He’s got speed, pace, and is quick footed. I’ve never seen anyone keep the ball as close as he does and accelerate away from people. He’s scored over 70 goals in his four year career, but even more than that – he is a fantastic person.” WOMEN – Chapman 9, Blue Ridge 0 It was only fitting that one player kicked off the match for Chapman on Friday evening. Adeline West suffered an injury during this past basketball season and hadn’t seen the field for the Lady Panthers soccer team prior to the kickoff. Despite the obstacle, West did not let that deter her from her main goal. “This is the last season that we’ll be here together,” West said about the group of five seniors on the team. “It was really important for me to be a part of that since I haven’t been able to be on the field the whole season. I’ve tried to cheer them on as much as I can during games. I’ve been keeping stats and other things like helping pick up after practice and games.” “Adeline has been one of our captains since last year,” stated Chapman head coach Will Maley. “She swore that she was going to get on the field before the season was over. The doctors cleared her... It was awesome to see her finish out her soccer career with her teammates on the field.” The Panther struck early and tallied four goals in the first 30 minutes, as Elliot Miller and Taryn Rogers each scored twice during that flurry. Rogers launched a right corner kick into the box, where Kaitlin Salbaum tracked it and scored with a header in the 34th minute, extending the lead to five. One minute later, a pass from the right side set up a goal for Chloe Bishop from eight yards out. Savannah Cooke added a goal of her own with under four minutes left in the half, creating a seven goal advantage at intermission. Paola Rodriguez and Maite Cerqueda each notched a goal in the second stanza, as the Panthers shut out the Tigers for a key win in region play. Five seniors – Bishop, Cooke, Rodriguez, Rogers, and West – were recognized during the senior night ceremony. “They are the leaders of the team,” Maley remarked. “As they go, we go. They are such great kids and add so much to not just the program, but school in general. We love them and it’s great to see them have a great night like this.” “I’ve met the most amazing people,” exclaimed West. “It has been a really long journey, but really super fun. I’m very thankful for everybody that I have met on this team.” Chapman (7-4, 6-1 Region) will host Greer in a non-region match on Tuesday, April 16th at 7 PM. INMAN, S.C. – In the first match after spring break, the Chapman Panthers boys’ soccer team began the second circuit of Region 3-3A play at home against the Carolina Trojans on Tuesday evening. It was a defensive battle, but a shot with 10 minutes to play lifted Chapman to a 3-2 victory over Carolina.
The two sides played to a scoreless tie until the last four minutes of the first half, where Chapman’s Brandon Vallecillo fired a free kick into the net from 19 yards away and staked the Panthers to an early advantage. The lead was short lived as the Trojans answered with a goal off a cross from the right side into the six yard box, which sent the game to the half with a 1-1 score. “We took our foot off of the gas a little bit,” said Chapman head coach Chris DowDell about the Trojans’ equalizer. “You can’t allow a team that’s got that much talent to hang around like that. Their striker turned one of our better defenders from an angle and we were not marked up properly for the cross, and the guy tapped it home.” “We have to be better in those moments. Defense is something we are preaching, but these young guys are still learning what defense really means and how to defend properly. It’s a work in progress.” Carolina claimed a 2-1 lead just three minutes into the second stanza, but Chapman answered a few moments later. On a counterattack, the Trojan goalkeeper dove to deflect a Vallecillo shot attempt near the six yard box. The deflection landed on the foot of Jakob Schall, who fired it home from the fringe of the 18 yard box, tying the game at 2-2. After narrowly missing a shot on goal less than 60 seconds prior, the Panthers converted in the 70th minute as a cross from the right side found Tyler Garcia, who fired home a strike from six yards away for the go-ahead goal. “I got the pass from our striker (Jakob Schall),” Garcia recalled about the play. “I received it right there, got past one player, and found the bottom left corner. It felt good to score that goal, and it made me feel confident about myself and my abilities. We had to lock in, grind it out, and play a lot of good defense. This win can help build our confidence as a team.” “We’ve been working with Tyler on trying to be more direct and play a little faster,” DowDell stated. “A lot of teams in high school like to play a high line… if we can find that through-ball and get you into space, you don’t need to dance – put the jets on and go. He’s been working hard at trying to learn that. He did what we asked him to do, and he rewarded himself and the team with a game-winner.” For the game, Chapman tallied nine shots and four on the goal, while Carolina registered a game-high 13 shots and nine on the goal. Chapman netminder Landon Pruitt recorded seven saves. Chapman (9-2, 5-0 Region) will host Blue Ridge for a Region 3-3A match on Friday, April 12th at 7 PM. Monday and Tuesday’s Scoreboard Monday Softball: Chapman 12, Wade Hampton 0 - Next game: at Blue Ridge, 6 PM on Friday Tuesday Girls Soccer: Chapman 15, Carolina 0 - Next match: Home vs Eastside, 7 PM on Wednesday Baseball at Blue Ridge - POSTPONED until Wednesday (JV at 5 PM, Varsity at 7 PM) SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The final day of the Sparkle City Classic saw the Landrum Cardinals and Chapman Panthers meet on the baseball diamond for the first time since an April 8th, 2014 matchup in the Steve Sanders Tournament.
In this contest, a strong start on the hill set the tone as the Panthers claimed a 7-1 victory in the Spartanburg District One showdown. Colt McPeters worked a two out walk in the first inning, then swiped second and sprinted home on a Lewis McAlister opposite-field single to left, staking the Panthers to an early 1-0 lead. Chapman right-hander Bryson Cothran tallied a three up, three down frame in an unusual way as a Cardinal batter reached on a two-out error but was tagged out advancing to second. Garrett Bridges and Grady Zipperer reached on a walk and hit-by-pitch, putting two aboard with two out for Landrum in the third. Cothran answered with an inning-ending strikeout, maintaining the one run lead. In the fourth, McAlister scored from third on a Lawson Harris opposite-field single to right, while Chandler Cartee scored on the play due to an error. Harris rounded the bases on a Grayden Humphries base knock to right, which created a 4-0 Chapman lead. Titus Poore drew a leadoff walk in the Cardinals’ half of the frame, but Cothran countered with a strikeout, fly out, and a pickoff to end the inning. Kole Brown was hit by a pitch to begin the seventh and advanced to third on a Cole Daughterty bunt single along the first base side. Brown tagged up on a McPeters sacrifice fly, while Daughterty and McAlister both scored on a Hank Tolleson single to right field, making for a seven run Panther lead. The Cardinals plated a run in the final frame when Poore sprinted home on a Nolan Collins base hit to center field, providing the final margin of 7-1. Harris went 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI, while Tolleson was 1-for-4 with two RBI. McAlister was 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored, followed by Daughtery (1-for-4, run) and McPeters (1-for-2, RBI, run, walk). Seven of the nine batters for the Panthers recorded at least one hit. Cothran earned the win for Chapman by tossing six shutout frames, allowing one hit, and striking out five. Poore fanned seven and yielded three earned runs on five hits across six innings for the Cardinals. Next up for Chapman (10-7) is a return to Region 3-3A play on Tuesday, April 9th at Blue Ridge, slated for a 7:30 PM start. Landrum travels to Broome on Monday for an 8 PM non-region contest. BOILING SPRINGS, S.C. – Friday night marked the end of a busy week for two area softball teams as the Boiling Springs Bulldogs hosted the Chapman Panthers at Bulldog Park. A late surge was the difference in this one, as the Panthers claimed a 7-1 victory over the Bulldogs, sweeping the season series.
The two starting pitchers – Boiling Springs’ Chloe Sloand and Chapman’s Reagan Garrett – combined to strike out seven batters and yield one hit apiece through the first two frames. Both hurlers continued to control the game from the circle, as the game remained a scoreless stalemate through five innings. Garrett was hit by a pitch to begin the sixth inning for the Panthers, which was followed by a Sophie Whitley double to left centerfield. Kayla Hardin (courtesy runner for Garrett) crossed home plate on a Rylan Ivey single to center. Ivey scored on a Sam McPhail single to center, which gave Chapman a 2-0 lead. “I took the first pitch I saw (in the sixth),” said Ivey. “We were not chasing after pitches and were being selective with our hitting. I knew that my teammates had my back. This game is a big confidence booster for us.” “I just relaxed more at the plate,” McPhail added. “I wanted to start off hitting early with the first pitch. I wanted to be there for my team. Especially after (Thursday at Travelers Rest), we realized that we can still work as a team, and it has given us more confidence for after spring break.” Autumn Fisher led off the seventh for Chapman with a solo home run to straightaway center. Garrett, Whitley, Ivey, and McPhail then rattled off four base hits in succession, as Hardin sprinted home on Ivey’s single, while Paisleigh Smith (courtesy runner for Whitley) scored on an error. Ivey touched home plate on a wild pitch, while McPhail rounded the bases on a Fisher base hit to center and created a 7-0 Panther lead. “I think we all came together as a team and made some team plays,” Fisher stated. “We had somebody start it off and everyone else fell in line behind them. We were just waiting for our pitch, not chasing, and playing our own game.” “It was (about) getting some confidence that they could hit the ball,” said Chapman head coach Casey Green. “Nothing changed other than they started believing in themselves. It was super important for us to come back (after Thursday) for this win and to finally produce some runs.” The Bulldogs attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh, as Cloey Taulbee came around to score when Brooklyn Harrill reached on an error. A strikeout moments later brought the game to an end, with the final margin of 7-1. Fisher paced the Panthers, as she was 3-for-5 with a home run and two runs batted in. Ivey was 2-for-4 with a run batted in and two runs scored, while Garrett notched two hits in three at bats. McPhail also went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in, while Whitley finished 2-for-3 with a double. In the circle, Garrett allowed just two hits and struck out six batters. Boiling Springs will return to action on Monday, April 8th, when they host Riverside at 7:30 PM. Next up for Chapman (10-4) is a Region 3-3A matchup at Blue Ridge on Friday, April 12th. The game is slated to begin at approximately 7:30 PM. CAMPOBELLO, S.C. – On Thursday night, Michael Pettit was unanimously approved in a meeting by the Spartanburg District One Board of Trustees as the new athletic director at Chapman High School.
Pettit said there were many aspects of the job that drew him to it. “It was just that small town feel and the idea that the town closes down on a Friday night, and everyone is at the stadium,” said Pettit. “That was something I haven’t ever been a part of and that was what pulled me to (the position). It’s a great town and a great facility. Athletics are the front door to the school. I am excited to be a part of this and to continue the legacy that Chapman has, the success they have had, and to keep pushing it forward.” Pettit comes to Chapman after serving in the athletic director role at his alma mater, Riverside High School, since 2019, along with being the Warriors’ head baseball coach since 2018. “Chapman shares a vision of excellence while understanding the importance of athletics in a student-athlete's overall educational experience,” he exclaimed. “I am excited to work with and listen to the coaches, staff, students, teachers, and the administration on what we can do to continue to make Chapman Athletics successful. I want to thank Superintendent Dr. Mark Smith and Principal Matt Davis for this opportunity and look forward to making Chapman the standard in high school athletics. I cannot wait to get started! Go Panthers!" He wants the whole Chapman program to be successful and has goals to make that happen, as his time at Riverside included five state championships. ”I’m competitive as we did a good job of where I was at (of being successful in all sports), I enjoy winning,” said Pettit. “I want to be at the top of the Carlisle Cup.” Pettit will begin his tenure as the Chapman athletic director on July 1st, 2024. INMAN, S.C. – On the heels of a region win over Blue Ridge, the Chapman Panthers boys soccer team had a quick 24 hour turnaround on Thursday for a home region match against the Travelers Rest Devildogs. After jumping out to an early lead, the Panthers held off a late charge for a 5-3 victory over the Devildogs.
After three near misses in the first 20 minutes, Chapman broke through on a free kick at midfield. The ball sailed deep downfield, where Jakob Schall blew by a defender near the six yard box and scored with a header to the upper left corner of the net for a 1-0 Chapman lead in the 26th minute. Travelers Rest fired a shot on goal with a cross to the right side of the 18 yard box three minutes later, but Panther keeper Cody Benstead pounced on the ball for the save. The Devildogs later fired home an equalizer in the 33rd minute, only to see the Panthers net a goal off a free kick from 18 yards away two minutes later, staking Chapman to a 2-1 lead at the break. “We were in a similar situation against (Greer Middle College) earlier in the year,” recalled Chapman head coach Chris DowDell. “We had 20 seconds left in the game and gave up a goal that tied it, then lost it in penalty kicks. At Spartanburg High, we were up 2-0 and the next thing you know, we lost 4-3.” “You’ve got all the momentum going your way, but then you make a mistake and let them back in the game. We needed (this situation tonight) because we needed to figure out how to deal with that pressure and to close the game out.” Eight minutes into the second half, Mario Armendariz sent a pass down the middle of the 18 yard box, where Schall tracked it perfectly and netted his second marker of the night, creating a two goal advantage for the Panthers. Travelers Rest pulled within a one goal margin twice in the second stanza, which saw the Panthers take a 4-3 lead into the final eight minutes of regulation. With less than four minutes left, the Panthers netted a goal from close range in the six yard box that secured the region win and provided the final margin. “Isaac Andryushenko had a tough mark (defensively),” DowDell pointed out. “The guy he was up against was very good, big, and physical. Isaac has really stepped his game up quite a bit and I thought he was excellent. Matthew Steading was just steady in the back (line). The big one that sticks in my mind is Mario Armendariz in the midfield.” “(Mario) is so smooth on the ball and when he is playing with confidence, he is as good as any player on the field. His assist when he chipped it over the top to Jakob on the third goal was fantastic. That is a top notch play anywhere in the world and he is capable of that stuff when he plays with confidence.” Schall led the Panthers with a hat trick, scoring three goals to go along with an assist. Brandon Vallecillo finished with a goal and an assist, while Armendariz and Steading each tallied an assist. Tim Yakovenko added a goal, while netminders Cody Benstead and Landon Pruitt combined for three saves in the win. As a team, Chapman tallied 20 shots (11 on goal) and limited the Devildogs to six total shots for the contest. Chapman (8-2, 4-0 Region 3-3A) will return to action on Tuesday, April 9th, when they host the Carolina Trojans in a Region 3-3A match, slated for a 7:30 PM kick. Thursday’s Scoreboard: Girls Soccer: Travelers Rest 2, Chapman 0 Softball: Travelers Rest 4, Chapman 3 · CHP: 9-4 overall (4-1 Region) · Next game: Friday at Boiling Springs Boys Golf – 1. Broome, 2. Chapman, 3. Blue Ridge, 4. Union County · Medalist: Will McCraw (CHP) with a score of 37 INMAN, S.C – Chapman softball coach Casey Green has wanted her team to start out on a better note at the plate. On Wednesday night, the team responded as a big first inning powered the Lady Panthers to a 10-0 victory over the Blue Ridge Tigers in five innings.
Autumn Fisher and Krislyn Wilder reached safely on a walk and base hit, respectively, that put runners on the corners to open Chapman’s half of the first inning. Rylan Ivey drove in Fisher with a groundout, while Wilder scored on a Sophie Whitley single, staking the Panthers to a 2-0 lead. Reagan Garrett and Sam McPhail each earned a free pass during the flurry as well. Kayla Hardin (courtesy runner for Garrett) crossed home plate on a wild pitch, while McPhail scored on an error. An Addy Lawson groundout plated Kenslie Edwards (courtesy runner for Whitley) and created a 5-0 Chapman lead. “I was just super excited that we were able to get five runs in that inning,” said Green. “We usually start out so slow, so it was a nice change… five runs in one inning are a great way to start a game.” The Panthers showed off the glove work when Wilder made two great throws from center field to Fisher at second base, retiring the lead runner for the Tigers on back-to-back plays. Hailey Coley also made a diving catch in foul territory on the third base line, which helped retire the side in the third inning. Madison Manning walked with one out in the Panthers’ third and sprinted home on a Fisher triple to right-center. Fisher crossed home plate on a Wilder double to left center, which created a 7-0 advantage. “We practice going hard every single day,” Wilder stated. “When you have a ball (hit) like that, it’s a reaction for whoever is receiving the ball and whoever is on the bases, looking at where the ball is. I just have the confidence in my teammates to tell me where I need to go and where I need to be.” “We have put in work from the very beginning to get to where we are now. We all know that we have the potential to get really, really far.” The Panthers plated three runs in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk to Whitley, an Alexis Floyd single, and a wild pitch, which provided the final margin. Wilder was perfect at the plate for the Panthers, going 4-for-4 with an RBI, two doubles, and two runs scored. Whitley went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI, while Fisher was 1-for-3 with a triple, RBI, and two runs scored. Garrett drew three walks and scored a run, while Floyd, Ivey and Lawson notched one RBI apiece. Manning and McPhail also scored one run each. In the circle, Garrett tossed a gem and scattered four hits in the shutout win. “We spend a lot of time on defense,” Green added. “(Krislyn) is the type of kid that is always looking for the next out anyway, even if she doesn’t catch the ball in the air. She’s going hard and is going to make something happen.” “(Hailey) is coming into her own at third base. It’s not a new position for her – she hasn’t been there the past couple of years. She is getting more comfortable. She was able to read the hands (of the batter), crash in on the bunt, and made a great play.” Next up for Chapman (9-3, 3-0 Region) is a Region 3-3A matchup at Travelers Rest on Thursday, March 28th. The game is slated to begin at approximately 7:30 PM. |
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