AZUSA, Calif. - Bryce Didrickson gave the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps baseball team a 1-0 lead in the second with a solo homer, but Chapman was able to hold the Stags in check from there and take a 4-1 win in the first of a three-game series on Friday at Azusa Pacific's Cougar Stadium.

The loss drops CMS to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the SCIAC, after opening last week with a three-game sweep of Occidental. Chapman, which suffered a sweep to Pomona-Pitzer last week, improves to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in the SCIAC. 

After CMS left the bases loaded in the third, Chapman responded in the fourth inning, scoring two runs to take the lead. Brad Lang's home run tied the game, followed by Thomas Golbranson's RBI triple with two outs which fell in front of the warning track after being lost in the lights. 

In the late stages of the game, the Panthers extended their lead with additional runs in the seventh and ninth innings. Although CMS had opportunities, including a leadoff double by Carter Bennett in the eighth inning, the Chapman pitching staff was able to keep the Stags at bay. CMS finished the game with a total of four hits and left seven runners on base, as the Panthers secured a 4-1 victory.

Dominic Rolla pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits, while striking out five. Bryant Smaaladen threw the final 4 1/3 innings across three appearances, striking out six to give CMS a chance in the late innings.

The two teams will complete their doubleheader with a road doubleheader at Chapman tomorrow.