TUCSON, Ariz. - Kevin Nakamura delivered a three-run homer in the first inning, but it came in a loss as the Whitman College baseball team fell to Chapman 7-6 to open Day 2 of the Cactus Classic played at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.

In a rematch of last year's NCAA Tournament first round matchup, Chapman (3-0) scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to claim the walkoff win. Miguel Cedeno advanced to third on a throwing error, then one batter later, scampered home after Dexter Aichele's pitch in the dirt ricocheted too far for Whitman (0-2) catcher Anthony Nevoso to make a play.

Whitman starters Travis Craven tossed six complete innings but did not factor into the decision after giving up six runs on nine hits with four strikeouts. Aichele (0-1) was tagged with the loss in two and one-third innings of solid relief work. He gave up just the one unearned run while striking out five Chapman hitters in his first collegiate outing.

Nakamura led the Blues with two hits, one run and three RBI including a double and the first-inning homerun. Bret Shimabuku batted 3-5 with one run and two RBI for the Panthers. Mitchell Briggs was the pitcher of record after giving up two hits in two scoreless innings of relief work.

Brett Williams (2 H, 2 R) opened the game with a base hit before stealing second to give the Blues (0-2) early action on the basepaths. Starter Cody Turner fanned both Jerick Nomura and Matthew Sox for his first two outs but hit David Johnson to put runners on first and second. Nakamura took full advantage of his opportunity on the next at bat, crushing a hanging curveball over the left field fence to put the Blues up 3-0.

Craven retired the side in his half of the first but surrendered six big runs one inning later. Shimabuku ripped a two-run triple over the head of Drew Vannaman in centerfield to tie up the game, then three hitters later Mack Cheli doubled home another pair of runs to give the Panthers the lead.

Craven settled in and kept the Panthers scoreless for the remainder of his outing. Meanwhile, the Blues chipped away at the lead and tied the game up with a run in the sixth inning. Vannaman drove a single up the middle to score Ben Parker and tie the score.

The Blues take on Redlands this evening in their second and final game of the day. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. MT (5:00 p.m. PT).