Baseball Drops Final Pair of Conference Games to LaGrange

LAGRANGE, Ga. – The Hawks (23-12 overall, 9-7 CCS), fell to #19/22 LaGrange College (27-13 overall, 13-5 CCS) in the final games of the series.

Game One: LaGrange 14 – Huntingdon 8

It was the Hawks who took the early lead in the top of the first inning at the plate. Singles from Daniel Phillips, Cade Morgan, and Colin Whibbs loaded the bases for Matthew Robinson. Robinson earned his first RBI with a single to bring in the first run of the game. The Panthers spotted the Hawks the next two runs with an error and a balk (3-0). A two-run single for Jabez Sampson finalized the inning and lifted the Hawks up by five. LaGrange hit a two-run homerun in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to three.

Scoring on a passed ball in the second, the Panthers were down by two before Noah Phillips doubled to center field to score another Hawk runner (6-3). In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Panthers tied the game at three and Hoot Rathburn relieved Michael Driver on the mound.

Six more runs for the Panthers, four coming in the fifth gave them the indefinite lead. Huntingdon scored two more runs for the remainder of the game. One in the top of the sixth with a single from Robinson and the last in the eighth as D. Phillips crossed the plate for his third time of the game.

Hawks Top Performers:

#2 Daniel Phillips – 2-4, 3 Runs, 3B

#13 Matthew Robinson – 3-5, 1 Run, 2 RBIs, SB

Pitching:

#24 Caleb Griffis – 2.1 IP, 5 Hits, 2 Runs, 1 ER, K

Game Two: LaGrange 10 – Huntingdon 2

Once again, the Hawks struck first with an RBI double from designated hitter, Matthew Robinson (1-0). The Panthers quickly took the lead in the bottom of the opening inning, scoring two runs off four hits.

Hall Billings pitched the first four innings for Huntingdon and gave up 3 runs on 8 hits before being relieved by Tucker Duke who faced 15 batters across his three innings pitched.

With the score at 4-2, Panthers in the bottom of the seventh inning, LaGrange found a rhythm for the eighth inning as they held the Hawks scoreless and posted six runs to increase their lead and force a big ninth inning from Huntingdon.

The Hawks were unable to answer as they fell to ranked LaGrange in the series 1-2.

Hawks Top Performers:

#13 Matthew Robinson – 2-4, RBI

#52 Innes Mackay – 2-4

Pitching:

#7 Hall Billings – 4.0 IP, 8 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 K

#41 Tucker Duke – 3.0 IP, 4 Hits, 1 Run, 2 K

The Hawks will now compete in the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament next week. Check back at www.huntingdonhawks.com for more information.