LAGRANGE, Ga. – The LaGrange College baseball team lost 4-3 against visiting Millikin University in non-conference action on Friday evening at Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium in LaGrange, Georgia.
THE BASICS
Score: Millikin 4, LaGrange 3
Records: Panthers 0-1 | Big Blue 1-0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Panthers took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first when senior left fielder Curt Bonner (Cartersville, Ga.) hit a two-RBI triple, followed by an RBI double from sophomore third baseman Erick Rodriguez (Lilburn, Ga.).
- Down 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, LaGrange was down to their final out and strike when freshman right fielder Matthew Brown (Marietta, Ga.) singled to left-center to keep the Panthers alive, representing the tying run. On the very next at-bat, junior shortstop Michael DeFrancisco (Winder, Ga.) doubled to left to put runners at first and second, putting the winning run in scoring position. Freshman second baseman Collin McGhee (Ball Ground, Ga.) was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Finally, senior centerfielder Jackson McElvy (Kennesaw, Ga.) blasted a shot to centerfield, but it was caught on the warning track as the rally came up just short.
- Bonner finished two-for-four with two RBI.
- LaGrange freshman pitcher Ben Atkinson (Madison, Ga.) pitched two shutout innings in relief with three strikeouts.
- Millikin sophomore pitcher Nolan Reiman (Morton, Ill.) picked up the win with four-and-one-third shutout innings, allowing just two hits.
- Millikin senior designated hitter Kolby Koslofski (Decatur, Ill.) went two-for-four with two RBI, including the eventual game-winning hit in the top of the eighth inning.
UP NEXT
- LaGrange and Millikin are back on the field on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. double-header.
For continuing coverage of LaGrange College Athletics, visit lagrangepanthers.com and follow the Panthers on Instagram ( @lagrange_panthers ), Twitter ( @lcpanthers ) and Facebook ( LaGrange Panthers ).
