BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Ninth-ranked Birmingham-Southern topped LaGrange 8-5 in a non-conference game Tuesday at Striplin Field.

LaGrange is now 13-20 on the season, while the host Panthers upped their record to 27-7-1.

The visiting Panthers made the most of just four hits. James Poropatic had two of the hits, while Keith Sims had a double.

Birmingham built a 4-0 lead after two innings off Jake Fussell (0-2). 

The Panthers got two runs back in the third on Sims' sacrifice fly and Casey Bell reaching on an error to score a run. They made it 4-3 in the fourth as Chris Laye came home on Jackson Patrick's ground out.

The host Panthers came back with four runs in their half of the inning to go up 8-3.

In the seventh, the Panthers loaded the bases with no outs. Sims and Bell both brought in a run with ground outs to make it 8-5.

The Panthers host Ferrum in a three-game USA South series beginning Saturday with a doubleheader.