ORANGE, Calif. – Caltech Baseball opened a three-game series against Chapman University Friday afternoon at Hart Park, facing a strong opponent in the reigning SCIAC champions.

After both teams were retired in order in the first inning, first-year Mark Hu connected for a two-out a double along the third base line in the top of the second. Unfortunately he was left on base as the third out came before he made it home. 

Fellow rookie Brendan Flaherty hit two leadoff singles in the contest, once in the third inning and then again in the sixth.

It was the seventh inning when Caltech's offense took flight, this time junior Leo Jenkins leading off with a base hit. Sophomore Jack Fishel came up next and knocked a single toward the Chapman shortstop, allowing Fishel to make it all the way to third base on the play. Fishel then claimed second base on a wild pitch, moving into scoring position for fellow sophomore Thorsen Kristufek, who belted a two-RBI single up the middle to clear the bases and put the Beavers on the board.

First-year Jacob Alderete pitched four complete innings in relief, allowing just two runs on two hits with a strikeout.

Head Coach Kevin Whitehead and the Beavers return home to close out the series with a doubleheader tomorrow morning, beginning at 11 a.m.