By Joshua J. Darling, Sports Information Director
LAGRANGE, Ga. – In a series that may well decide the Inaugural Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Regular Season Championship, No. 8/9 LaGrange (18-7, 6-0 CCS) baseball looks to continue their dominance as they put their undefeated league record on the line in a three-game set against Belhaven (17-9, 9-0 CCS) from April 6-7.
All three games will be played at Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium but with major schedule adjustments due to impending weather. Originally slated for game times of 7 p.m. for the first two games and the finale at 2 p.m., the series will now kick off with a doubleheader on Thursday, April 6 beginning at 2 p.m. with the second game at approximately 5 p.m. The finale, pending weather, is now slated for 11 a.m. Friday, April 7.
The matchup features the two best teams in the new league, with the Panthers having won 10 of their last 12 games and BU riding a 14-game winning streak. LaGrange's run dates to March 11 and includes series sweeps of Berea (3/18-19) and Covenant (3/24-25) with the only losses coming 6-5 to No. 1 Birmingham-Southern (3/22) and a 7-4 loss to Berry (4/4) in their most recent outing.
The Blazers, meanwhile, have not lost in nearly a month, that being a 4-2 defeat against Millsaps (3/7) while sweeping Maryville (5-2, 2-0, 5-3 on 3/18-19), Piedmont (6-4, 12-10, 4-1 on 3/24-25) and Covenant (8-4, 6-4, 10-0 on 3/31-4/1).
SERIES HISTORY
In one of the newer series in program history, LaGrange leads 3-1 with all four games coming in 2018. They opened with a 12-5 victory on the road on February 17 before falling 6-3 on April 20 at home. They would then claim the nightcap that day by a 19-1 score and posted a 9-1 decision on April 21.
MEDIA
Fans can follow all the action with live stats (Game 1, Game 2, Game 3) and live video as well as a full recap on www.LaGrangePanthers.com, the official online home of Panthers Athletics, following the final out of each day.
DON'T MISS THE ACTION
Want more than video and live stats and happen to be in the LaGrange area for this epic CCS showdown? Make sure to get your tickets for just $10 for a single game and $25 for the entire series. Ticket prices are subject to change based upon weather-related adjustments.
Scouting The No. 8/9 LaGrange College Panthers
Record: 18-7, 6-0 CCS
Last Time Out: L, 7-4 vs. Berry on April 4
Streak: One Loss
Quick Links
Baseball Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
Individual Batting Leaders
Batting Average: Joe Ruth – .414
Slugging Percentage: Joe Ruth – .667
Hits: Joe Ruth – 41
Doubles: Joe Ruth – 13
Triples: Joe Ruth – 3
Homeruns: David Smigelski – 3
RBIs: Rhett Mixon – 32
Runs: Rhett Mixon – 28
Steals: Jackson McElvy – 11
Individual Pitching Leaders
ERA: Eduardo Peralta – 1.78
Wins: Ethan Fry, Eduardo Peralta – 4
Opposing Batting Average: Ethan Fry – .181
Strikeouts: Ethan Fry – 54
Innings: Ethan Fry – 38.0
Team Batting Statistics
Batting Average: .323
Slugging Percentage: .459
Hits: 278
Doubles: 62
Triples: 8
Homeruns: 13
RBIs: 192
Runs: 217
Steals: 26 (26-of-31)
Team Pitching Statistics
ERA: 4.13
Opposing Batting Average: .236
Strikeouts: 272
Innings: 216.0
Scouting The Belhaven University Blazers
Record: 17-9, 9-0 CCS
Last Time Out: W, 10-0 vs. Covenant on April 1
Streak: 14 Wins
Quick Links
Baseball Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
Individual Batting Leaders
Batting Average: Hunter Estes – .356
Slugging Percentage: Caleb Whittle – .446
Hits: Dawson Albin – 34
Doubles: Dawson Albin – 8
Triples: Dawson Albin – 2
Homeruns: Dawson Albin – 2
RBIs: Dawson Albin – 19
Runs: Caleb Whittle – 24
Steals: Kyle McLaughlin – 16
Individual Pitching Leaders
ERA: Brett Sanchez – 1.68
Wins: Brett Sanchez – 4
Opposing Batting Average: Brett Sanchez – .169
Strikeouts: Brett Sanchez – 75
Innings: Brett Sanchez – 53.2
Team Batting Statistics
Batting Average: .275
Slugging Percentage: .368
Hits: 238
Doubles: 43
Triples: 7
Homeruns: 8
RBIs: 132
Runs: 164
Steals: 61 (61-of-80)
Team Pitching Statistics
ERA: 4.43
Opposing Batting Average: .246
Strikeouts: 196
Innings: 225.1