LAGRANGE, Ga. – The LaGrange College baseball team split their double-header against visiting Maryville College in Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) action on Friday at Cleaveland Field in Phil Williamson Stadium in LaGrange, Georgia, coming up short in the opener, 14-8, before rallying to a 7-4 victory in game two. The Panthers conclude their regular season with a 19-17 overall record with an 8-10 record in CCS play.
SENIOR DAY
- Prior to the game, the Panthers and the LaGrange College athletics department took a few moments to recognize their graduating senior class as part of senior day. The senior class of graduate left fielder Jorge Fragoso (East Point, Ga.), senior shortstop Jackson McElvy (Kennesaw, Ga.), senior second baseman Evan Graham (Roswell, Ga.), senior third baseman Colin Jones (Duluth, Ga.), senior catcher Carson Burgamy (Woodstock, Ga.), senior first baseman Curt Bonner (Cartersville, Ga.), senior pitcher Eduardo Peralta (David, Chiriqui, Panama) and senior pitcher Trystin Merson (Dallas, Ga.) have given their all not only on the field, but to the entire LaGrange community as a whole. Although their time on the court may be coming to an end, they will forever be a part of the Panther family.
MCELVY'S 200th CAREER HIT
- McElvy led off the bottom of the first inning of game two for the Panthers with a solo home run to left field, just the second home run of his career. As he crossed home plate, McElvy was mobbed by teammates, celebrating his 200th career hit. McElvy becomes the first LaGrange player to accomplish that feat since former Panther great Joe Ruth (Class of 2024). McElvy had an outstanding day for his team, as he went three-for-four with two walks and three runs scored in game one before going three-for-four in game two. In the top of the eighth of the nightcap with the Panthers clinging to a one-run lead, the Panthers switch McElvy from shortstop to relief pitcher and the senior delivered for the save, striking out three and allowing just one hit in one and one-third innings.
GAME 1 – MARYVILLE 14, LAGRANGE 8
- LaGrange held a 6-5 lead in game one before the Scots exploded for seven runs in the top of the fifth inning.
- Bonner went four-for-five with a double, a triple and three runs batted in during the opener, helping the Panthers stay in the game.
- Junior designated hitter Nicholas Ford (Canton, Ga.) went two-for-four with a double, a walk and two RBI.
- Fragoso added two hits with two RBI.
GAME 2 – MARYVILLE 4, LAGRANGE 7
- The Panthers, with their season and playoff position on the line, came storming out of the gate in game two, putting up four runs in the bottom of the first inning. After McElvy's lead-off home run, Bonner hit an RBI triple to plate freshman centerfielder Tanner Morneau (Marietta, Ga.) before scoring himself off an RBI single by Ford. Finally, an RBI fielder's choice by Burgamy drove in Ford, giving LaGrange a 4-0 lead.
- Clinging to a 4-3 lead after two innings, LaGrange turned to sophomore pitcher Josiah Chiesa (Dalton, Ga.) in relief. The reigning CCS Pitcher of the Week went five and one-third innings, allowing just one earned run against one of the best lineups in the conference and striking out four Scots, picking up the win.
- In the bottom of the seventh, still up by just one, Burgamy doubled to left to drive in freshman outfielder Ben Edge (Newnan, Ga.), giving the Panthers breathing room with a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the eighth, RBI hits by Ford and Jones gave them a 7-4 lead. Behind McElvy's heroics, that would hold up for the final score.
UP NEXT
- With the conclusion of their regular season, LaGrange now awaits word of their playoff seed in next week's CCS Championship Tournament.
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