Cal Lutheran Gets Slammed by Chapman, 6-2

ORANGE — The battle between Cal Lutheran and Chapman for Southland supremacy in NCAA Division III baseball is a draw--for now.

Chapman’s 6-2 victory at Hart Park on Wednesday avenged a 6-0 loss at Cal Lutheran on Tuesday, a two-game series that might have a postseason sequel.

Cal Lutheran (22-7) is top-ranked in the West Region and Chapman (18-10) is No. 2. If that order holds, Cal Lutheran would likely host Chapman in a five-game playoff series starting May 17.

Judging from the action the last two days, it would be a heated affair. Tuesday, the Kingsmen broke open a 1-0 game with three consecutive home runs in the eighth inning. Wednesday, Chapman got a wind-aided grand slam by Luis Garcia in the first inning and hung on.

Garcia’s hit looked like a routine fly when it left the bat, but swirling wind pushed it to left center, where it barely cleared the fence.