Box Score

LaGrange, GA - The Lions took a 3-1 win in game one last night, breaking a 1-1 tie with a two-run eighth inning.  Today, host LaGrange College got revenge, taking a 3-1 win as well with a two-run eighth inning that evened the series at a game apiece.  Both teams scratched across a solo run in the sixth inning as the sides were caught in yet another pitcher's duel, but this time it was the Panthers who came out on top.

The Lions tallied only four hits on the day, all singles while senior starter Caleb Cochran took a tough loss on the hill, going seven strong innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk, adding two strikeouts.  Senior Ed Cook, pitching for a second straight game, went the final inning in relief in the eighth after Cochran was touched for a pair of runs without recording an out.  Cook allowed one hit and struck out a batter.

A scoreless tie lasted until the top of the sixth, when the Lions used a little two-out magic for the game's first run.  After not recording a hit until the fifth inning, two of the four total hits came in the sixth frame.  Senior Curtis Cornett singled through the left side with two away, and advanced to second on freshman Tucker Ehmig's single to right field.  Cornett wound up coming in from third on a wild pitch before the inning was finished.  The lead was short-lived though, as the home team retaliated with a sixth inning run as well, coming on a two-out RBI double.

Cochran issued a double and single to begin the eighth inning, and was pulled in favor of Cook.  The senior closer had trouble with the inherited runners.  A single to the first hitter he faced brought in the go-ahead run, making it 2-1.  A sac fly brought in the third run before Cook induced a popout and struck out his final hitter of the day.  The Lions move to 24-15 overall and 5-6 in Great South Athletic Conference play.  The men will take on the Panthers tomorrow at 2:00 pm for the rubber match of the series and the 2012 regular season finale.