LAGRANGE, Ga. (Mar. 15, 2008) – On the third game of their spring trip, Edgewood College finally broke out the bats, pounding out 21 hits against LaGrange College, but couldn't hold on to a 12-run lead, dropping their fourth straight game 18-17. LaGrange scored 12 runs on seven hits in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, and then pushed the winning run across the plate in the ninth inning.
Edgewood College (2-7) scored six runs in the first three innings, opening up a 6-3 lead. They then seemed to have broken the game open with three runs in the fifth and sixth innings and five runs in the seventh to forge a 17-5 lead. Tom Gugel drove in two runs with a one-out double in the fifth, and Cory McCullick plated two more with an RBI single in the seventh.
However, LaGrange College (9-8) roared back sending 16 batters to plate in the bottom of the seventh and scoring 12 runs, 10 of which were unearned, to tie the game at 17. In the bottom of the ninth Edgewood College relief pitcher Rick Walsh, loaded the bases with a walk and two hit batsmen. Tim Richardson relieved Walsh, but Patrick Langley singled up the middle to give the Panthers a wild victory.
The Eagles set season-highs in nearly every offensive category, scoring 17 runs on 21 hits with five extra base hits and six stolen bases. Gugel and Karl Reynolds each had four hits for the Eagles, with Gugel driving in four runs and Reynolds going four-for-four while swiping three bases. McCullick drove in five runs with three hits, including his third triple of the season. Justin Dahmen picked three hits for the Eagles for the second consecutive game, while Matt Werner also had three hits including a double.
Walsh took the loss, dropping his season record to 1-2. Kyle Lode started the game for Edgewood College and went four and two-thirds innings, giving up four earned runs amd striking out two.
The Eagles have Sunday off while they travel to Orlando, Fla. to begin play at RussMatt Collegiate Baseball Invitational. They will open the tournament on Monday against Endicott College (Mass.).
