Panthers edge Atlanta Christian in 11 innings
April 22, 2009

Freshman David Miller's two-out hit in the 11th inning lifted LaGrange College to a 6-5 win over Atlanta Christian at Cleaveland Field on Wednesday. The Panthers closed out the regular season 22-16 and open play in the GSAC tournament Friday at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala. on Friday.

It was Senior Night for eight Panthers. Corbin Clinage, Ben Hudson, Korey Ison, Eric Medlock, Mike Sanders, Tyson Sandlin, Jeff Tucker and Trey Walker were honored in a pre-game ceremony.

Eric Heath, who had four hits in the game, led off the 11th with a hit up the middle off reliever Trent Shoemake. Heath turned it into a double when he saw no one covering second base. Hudson's sacrifice bunt moved Heath over to third.

Shoemake came back by striking out Ison for the second out of the inning. Jordan Martinec was intentionally walked to bring up Miller. Miller hit Shoemake's first pitch through the left side to bring in Heath with the winning run.

Tucker started on the mound for the Panthers. He pitched into the seventh inning, allowing four earned runs. Tucker pitched out of several bases loaded jams to keep the Chargers off the board through five innings.

The Panthers broke up a scoreless game with three runs in the fifth inning off Charger starter Jacob Moore. The Panthers had only one hit in the inning, taking advantage of an error, a wild pitch and a passed ball.

The Panthers built a 5-1 lead through six innings. They got two runs in the sixth on an RBI double by Heath and a run-scoring single from Hudson.

The Chargers came back to tie the game with four runs in the top of the seventh inning and knock Tucker from the game. Taylor Smith relieved Tucker for one batter as Jonathan Love entered the game.

Adam Simons greeted Love with a two-run single up the middle to tie the game. The Chargers loaded the bases with one out but Love retired the next two batters to end the inning.

The Chargers threatened in the ninth inning. Love walked the leadoff batter and an error put runners on the corners. Love got Justin Cardell to hit back to the mound and got Shoemake in a run down between third and home for the first out of the inning.

Jeremy Freeman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Love scooped up Tyler Ward's grounder to start an inning-ending double play. It was the Panthers' third double play of the game.

Freshman Drew Williamson (1-1) pitched the final two innings to get the win. Williamson allowed a hit, one walk and struck out two to get his first collegiate win.