Grant Cobb- Staff Writer
Kevin Kim- Editor
GAME 1
LaGrange 15, Berea 3
LaGrange College (8-3) (3-0)
Berea College (3-5) (0-1)
GAME 2
Berea 10, LaGrange 8
Berea College (4-5) (1-1)
LaGrange College (8-4) (3-1)
GAME 3
LaGrange 8, Berea 0
LaGrange College (9-4) (4-1)
Berea College (4-6) (1-2)
LAGRANGE, GA- The Berea baseball team traveled to conference opponent LaGrange College Friday evening for a weekend stint with the Panthers. Berea split a Saturday double-header with the conference rival, and lost on Sunday in an early morning contest. The Mountaineers come back from their first conference series 1-2, but accomplished a recognizable feat, the program's first ever conference win. With a final score of 10-8 in the second game of the Saturday double-header, the Mountaineers recorded their first conference victory as a member of the USA South conference.
Game 1 featured Berea's Griffen Norris on the mound for the Mountaineers. The senior came poised for the conference debut, and Berea managed a solid first few innings, battling with the Panthers. The defensive mistakes allowed in the 3rd tumbled into the 4th and Berea found itself gazing at the E's on the scoreboard. The boy's responded with a 3-run 6th inning, but the damage had already taken its toll. LaGrange won 15-3 in 7 innings.
Notable Performances-
Josh Wilson: 2-3, 1 Run
Isaac Peters: 1-3, 2 RBI's
The second contest was a different story for the Mountaineers. Josh Wilson represented Berea on the bump, and he came out fired up to avenge the loss. He pitched 5 innings of solid baseball. The Panthers were putting balls in play, but the Berea defense had Wilson's back. Allowing 5 runs, an error was behind the other 3 LaGrange hung on the scoreboard. Nevertheless, Berea answered with 2 separate 5-run innings (2nd and 5th). Brendan Grider came in and relived the final 4 innings in stellar fashion. He held LaGrange scoreless through the remainder of the contest and only allowed a mere 3 hits. The impressive save is Grider's 2nd on the season.
Notable Performances-
Josh Wilson: W, 5.0 IP, 5 ER
Brendan Grider: Sv, 4.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H
Ty Williams: 2-5, 3 RBI's
Tanner Crowe: 3-5, 3 RBI's
T.C. Eads: 3-5, 1 RBI
Isaac Peters: 2-5, 1 RBI
The Sunday contest was pushed ahead to a 10:00am start to avoid some potential weather delays and cancellations. The game was completed; however, the Mountaineers were unable to get the victory. TC Eads, got the start, but didn't have his best stuff. He battled and traded blows with the Panthers' as best he could, but LaGrange stayed hot. Berea was held to only 6 hits and just couldn't get going throughout the contest. LaGrange was victorious 8-0.
Notable Performances-
Tanner Crowe: 2-3, 1 BB
TC Eads: 1-4, 1 2B
Baylor Manire: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 K's
The men will be looking for a few more victories in the coming week. Spring break is here for Berea, but the baseball team will be focusing on a home conference series vs Methodist. Wednesday's game is slated for 4:00pm. And Friday's game begins at 4:00pm as well.