LAGRANGE, Ga. - After defeating LaGrange at home in February, the Birmingham-Southern baseball team bested the Panthers for the second time this season on Wednesday night.
After a slow start in their last game, BSC got going in the top of the first. The Panthers managed four hits our of the first five batters, highlighted by a
Jakob Zito single up the middle to score
Andrew Dutton. However, their early lead did not last long as an RBI double and RBI single gave LaGrange a 2-1 lead after an at bat each.
In the top of the second, BSC continued their hot hitting from the first inning as the three freshman (
Charlie Banks,
Parker Ladd, and
Parker Hutson) all reached first base.
Eli Steadman then reclaimed the lead for 'Southern with a two RBI single down the right field line.
Andrew Dutton then knocked in Hutson in the next Panther at bat to double the lead, 4-2.
With Steadman and Dutton on,
Ian Hancock hit a statement three-run bomb to right center field to give BSC a huge 7-2 lead. LaGrange added a third run in the bottom of the second, but 'Southern still lead by four heading into the third inning.
BSC failed to score in the next two innings meanwhile, LaGrange pushed two more runners across the plate on two separate RBI singles. The home team continued to trim into the deficit, but BSC still lead 7-5 after four innings.
Neither team scored over the next three innings largely due to pitching by
Grayson Munyon,
Ricky Harrison, and
Jacob Fields for BSC. In the top of the eighth, 'Southern added an insurance run after
Eli Steadman scored on a wild pitch. The visitors led 8-5 heading into the final six outs for LaGrange.
In the bottom of the eighth, 2023 All-American
Hansen McCown made his awaited return to the mound for his 2024 season debut. The senior did not miss a beat as he struck out the side.
Charlie Horne then came in relief of McCown and closed out the win on the road for BSC, 8-5.
Records
(RV) Birmingham-Southern 14-10 (4-5 SAA), (RV) LaGrange 15-5 (3-0 CCS)
Up Next
The Panthers will travel to Danville, Ky. to take on Centre in a three-game SAA series. Game one is set for Friday, Mar. 29 at 6:00 p.m. EST.