Photo by: Nicole Gervais

WHITTIER, Calif. – Brian Rauh threw 7.0 innings of no-hit baseball as he led Chapman to a 7-1 win over Whittier on Friday afternoon at Memorial Field.

Last year's NCBWA Division III Pitcher of the Year struck out 13 batters and exited the game having allowed just two base runners in his season debut.

The Poets (1-1) went down in order in the first four innings before Nathan Mendez drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the fifth. Mendez was later thrown out at second in an attempted steal. Whittier put its second runner on base off of Rauh in the bottom of the seventh in similar fashion. Dan Gleiberman walked with two outs but was stranded at first.

Chapman (1-0) scored in the top of the first inning and benefitted from a fielding mishap by the Poets. After retiring the first two batters of the game, the inning was extended when starting pitcher Keith Hoefel misplayed a ball hit back up the middle. The ensuing at bat turned into a two-run homerun to right center field.

Hoefel settled down and threw scoreless innings in the second and third frame but was tagged for three more runs in the top of the fourth. The Panthers struck again with two outs as a three home run to left field gave Chapman a 5-0 lead.

Hoefel allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits with eight strikeouts in 5.0 innings.

Chapman (No. 3 Baseball American/No. 10 D3baseball.com) tacked on two more insurance runs in the ninth with a two-RBI home run to left field.

The Poets got their lone hit of the afternoon on a single up the middle by Andrew Vallejo.

Whittier scored its run in the final half inning and took advantage of two walks, one wild pitch and an error. Reed Tuttle crossed home after Richard Matamoros' pitch got away from the catcher. Tuttle started the inning with a walk.

The Poets and Panthers will resume their three-game set tomorrow afternoon with a twin bill in Orange, Calif.