Panthers edge Emmanuel to gain split of doubleheader
April 7, 2008

FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – LaGrange held on for a 6-5 win over Emmanuel to gain a split of a doubleheader Monday at Cary Memorial Field. Emmanuel took the first game 2-1 in eight innings. The split left the Panthers 18-13 on the season, while the Lions are now 15-27.

Seth Tucker led the Panthers in the second game. The senior was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Included in Tucker's three hits was his team-leading fourth home run of the season.

David Tillis (1-0) got the win in his first start of the season. Tillis allowed a run on three hits, while walking one and striking out one. Jonathan Chapman got his third save in the last four games. Chapman gave up two hits, walked one and struck out four.

Emmanuel got a run in the first inning off Tillis to go up 1-0. Tucker tied the game in the third inning. He went deep off starter and loser Mitch Griffin with a shot to left field to make it 1-1.

The Panthers picked up two runs in the fifth inning. Tucker picked up his second RBI of the game, driving in Michael Sims with a two-out single to put the Panthers up 2-1. Patrick Langley followed with a double to left field to drive in Tucker to make it 3-1.

Emmanuel got a run back in its half of the fifth to cut the Panthers' lead to 3-2. The Panthers built a four-run cushion with three runs in the top of the sixth. They loaded the bases on three walks and Corbin Clinage's sacrifice fly scored pinch-runner Trey Walker. Sims and Tucker followed with back-to-back run scoring singles to make it 6-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Lions started the inning with three straight hits off reliever Curt Ellison to make it 6-3. Chapman relieved Ellison and was greeted by Daniel Fowlers' two-run double to cut the lead to one, 6-5.

In the seventh inning, Chapman walked PiAire Thompson to lead off the inning. He came back to strike out the side to close out the win.

In the first game, the Lions' Kyle Brown allowed only one batter over the minimum through six innings. He struck out 11 and walked only one in the game.

Tucker broke up Brown's no-hitter with a lead-off single to center to start the seventh inning. He stole second, moved over to third on a ground out and scored on Cory Matticola's ground out to tie the game at 1-1.

The Lions got the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Eric Medlock (3-2). An error with the bases loaded allowed the winning run to score.

Ben Hudson started on the mound for the Panthers in the first game. He went 5-1/3 innings, allowing a run on seven hits. He walked one and struck out two. The Panthers turned three double plays and Tucker made a run-saving catch in center to end another threat.

The Panthers travel to Montgomery, Ala. for a three-game weekend GSAC series with Huntingdon. The Panthers are 2-1 in conference play.