BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham-Southern Baseball Team stayed hot on Senior Weekend, sweeping the three game series against Millsaps. The Panthers have won 8 straight and 13 of their last 15. BSC jumped out in front early and held on to win game one 7-4. On Saturday, the Panthers' offense exploded en route to outscoring Millsaps by a combined 24-5 in the double-header.

Game 1
BSC picked up right where they left off in the midweek against Huntingdon. They quickly went up 4-0 after two innings of play with RBI knocks from Jakob Zito, Eli Steadman and Jackson Webster. Millsaps had to turn to their bullpen in the third and BSC responded in the fourth with three more runs to make it 7-0. Highlights from the Panthers' fourth inning included an RBI double from Andrew Dutton and a long home run from Jackson Webster.

Josh Leerssen (W, 8-1) was his usual self on Friday night. He went five scoreless before giving up an earned run in the sixth. His final stat line included six innings pitched with only four hits and 6 strikeouts. 

Millsaps squeaked in two runs in the sixth followed by a run in the seventh and eighth innings, but their comeback attempt was ultimately shut down by Tams Mullins. Connor Adams also threw an inning in relief.

The BSC offense was led by Jackson Webster, who was 2-for-4 with 3 RBI's. Eli Steadman also had a multi-hit game.

Game 2
Before the game, Birmingham-Southern was able to honor Juniors and Seniors for their contributions to the program. It was a good gesture by Head Coach Jan Weisberg to include Juniors as a part of the day given the circumstances regarding the closure of the college. 

The Panthers made noise early on Senior Day by scoring two runs in the first. Ian Hancock had the first RBI of the day after a double that scored Eli Steadman. Later in the inning, Charlie Banks grounded out, scoring Andrew Dutton.

Millsaps tied up the game in the third, but BSC answered later that inning with three runs of their own. Jakob Zito, Ty Truett, and Mitch Austin all had RBI's. Charlie Banks added to his RBI count in the fourth with a 3-run homer that went over the bus in left field. 

Ty Truett kept the scoring going in the sixth with a 2 RBI double. In the seventh, Ian Hancock and Charlie Banks both had RBI singles to wrap up the mercy-rule 12-2 victory. 

Drake LaRoche (W, 6-3) performed great on the mound going six innings with five hits, two earned runs and eight strikeouts. Trip Barron also threw a scoreless inning.

Game 3
Birmingham-Southern continued the ceremonies in between games by honoring the many alumni who came out to the games. BSC also announced new Hall of Fame inductees that featured many stars of the past.

Game three had a little bit slower of a start, but the Panthers still made sure to score first. Shane Nelson broke the 0-0 tie with a solo homer to right field in the third inning. Millsaps answered with a run to tie it in the top of the fourth, but BSC came back with three more. Ian Hancock had a homer, and Mitch Austin and Shane Nelson both had RBI singles. 

BSC continued the scoring in the fifth with four more runs. Jakob Zito, Ty Truett, and Mitch Austin all had RBI's. As if that wasn't enough, Jakob Zito hit a grand slam in the sixth inning to make the score 12-3 in favor of the Panthers. He finished the day going 2-for-4 with 5 RBI's

Hansen McCown (W, 4-0) went five innings with five hits, three earned runs and six strikeouts. Jacob Fields, Ricky Harrison, and Owen Stephens threw in relief without giving up a hit or walk to secure the victory.

Records
(RV) Birmingham-Southern 26-12 (14-7 SAA), Millsaps 14-24 (4-17 SAA)

Up Next
BSC will close out the regular season at home against Belhaven (Miss.) on Tuesday, April 23.