LaGrange College sweeps conference series
Published 8:05 pm Monday, February 24, 2020
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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY
Daily News
After a dramatic, 11-10 walk-off win in game one, the LaGrange College Panthers completed a doubleheader sweep of North Carolina Wesleyan with a 6-4 victory in Sunday’s second game.
The Panthers (5-4) also won Saturday’s game 7-1, giving them a three-game sweep in their first USA South series of the season.
In Sunday’s first game, the Panthers were trailing by a run when they came to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning, and they plated a pair of runs to secure the thrilling win.
Cael Chatham tied it with an RBI single, and Dawson Weaver brought in the winning run with a two-out base hit to right field, setting off a celebration in right field.
Here’s a look at all three weekend games:
GAME ONE
Pitcher J. R. Robinson was on top of his game as LaGrange College overwhelmed North Carolina Wesleyan 7-1 in the series opener.
Robinson pitched 7 1/3 innings, and he worked around six hits to hold the Battling Bishops to one unearned run.
Cal Fuller got the final two outs of the eighth inning without giving up a run, and Will Queen struck out the side in the ninth to finish it.
McKinley Erves, Trey Pearce and Cael Chatham each had two hits and an RBI, and E.J. Churchich had a hit and two RBIs.
Joe Ruth had one hit and an RBI, and Rhett Mixon and Dawson Weaver each had hits.
GAME TWO
In a wild game, LaGrange College rallied past North Carolina Wesleyan for the 11-10 win.
The Battling Bishops scored a run in the top of the 10th to take the lead, but the Panthers won it with two runs in the bottom of the inning.
Jack Layrisson got the rally started with a double, and two batters later, Chatham’s base hit to right field tied it.
With two outs and the bases empty, Payton Moseley walked and pinch-hitter Jared Aldridge singled, and Dawson Weaver ended the suspense with his game-winning single.
Weaver had a big game for the Panthers with three hits and a walk with three RBIs.
Joe Ruth and Trey Pearce also got it done offensively with three hits and two RBIs apiece, Chatham had two hits and three RBIs, and McKinley Erves had a hit and two walks.
Five different LaGrange College pitchers appeared in the game, including starter Dalton Brooks, who gave up four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.
The final pitcher used, Spencer Douches worked 1 2/3 innings to get the win.
GAME THREE
LaGrange College scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead, and it held on for a 6-4 victory to get the series sweep.
McKinley Erves had a hit and a walk and two RBIs for the Panthers, and Jack Layrisson and Trey Pearce each had doubles and RBIs.
Peyton Moseley had a hit and an RBI, Dawson Weaver had two hits with a walk, and Jared Aldridge and Austin McDade each had a hit.
On the mound, Baley Coleman did some nice work in relief to secure the save.
The Battling Bishops had the tying run on base with no outs when Coleman entered the game, and he got a double play and a fly out to end it.
Tanner Chafin allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings in relief, but he was the winning pitcher.
Richie Post started and gave up two runs in five innings before Will Queen held N.C. Wesleyan scoreless in his 1 2/3 innings.