Visiting Birmingham-Southern used a big fourth inning to down LaGrange 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon at Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium. It was the season-opener for the Panthers (0-1), while Birmingham-Southern improved to 3-1.

LC was held to five hits in the game but drew eight walks off five BSC pitchers. The Panthers left 12 on base, including five over the last three innings.

Designated hitter E.J. Churchich and center fielder McKinley Erves each had two hits. Churchich's hits also included a double and he had two RBIs. Erves also had a double and scored a run.

The Panthers used five pitchers in the game. J.R. Robinson (0-1) started and was charged with five runs in 3-2/3 innings. Tanner Chafin faced two batters before giving way to Dalton Brooks. Brooks allowed an unearned run in 1-1/3 innings. Baley Coleman and Spencer Douches combined to throw four scoreless innings to close out the game.

Robinson faced the minimum through three innings with the help of two double plays. BSC broke through in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on six hits, four with two outs.

The Panthers got a run back in their half of the fourth inning. Churchich greeted reliever Ricky Harrison with a double down the left field line. Judd drove in Churchich with a base hit up the middle to make it 5-1.

Birmingham-Southern went up 6-1 with an unearned run in the top of the fifth. LC put together a two-run two-out rally in the seventh cut into the deficit. Erves had an infield hit, followed by walks to Joe Ruth and Jack Layrisson to load the bases. Churchich hit a hard shot to third that caromed into left field. Erves and Ruth scored on the play to make it 6-3.

Erves led off the ninth with a double to center field. Ruth walked for the fourth time in the game to put runners on first and second. Reliever Hansen McCown got the next two outs and Judd Moore's long drive to center was run down for the final out.

The Panthers turned three double plays in the game and did not commit an error. Second baseman Rhett Hebert and shortstop Cael Chatham each had five assists.

The Panthers are scheduled to play Maryville on Feb. 27 at Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium.

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