BOX SCORE
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. 3/13/09 – Trailing 4-2 in the ninth inning, Sewanee rallied for a run, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers dropped a one-run decision to Birmingham Southern in SCAC baseball action tonight at Striplin Field on the campus of Birmingham Southern College.
After two scoreless innings to start the game, Birmingham Southern broke on top in the bottom of the third inning when they pushed three runs across the plate on three hits. The Panthers came back in the bottom of the fourth with a run to increase their lead to 4-0.
Sewanee cut the Panthers' lead in half in the top half of the fifth inning when they struck for two runs. Connor Liston (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Episcopal) and Bryant Denison (Baton Rouge, La., University) led off the inning with back-to-back walks. Joe Reilly (Milton, Ga., Mt. Pisgah) singled to right loading the basses with no outs. Taylor Irwin (Brentwood, Tenn., Battle Ground Academy) followed with another single to right field driving in Liston. Taylor Barrett (Murfreesboro, Tenn., Siegel) then rapped into a fielder's choice to drive in Dennison from third with the second run of the inning.
The score remained at 4-2 until a ninth inning rally by Sewanee fell one run short as Birmingham Southern held on for the 4-3 victory.
In the ninth inning with one out, Irwin reached first on interference by the catcher. Barrett then singled to right center field. Franklin Pogue (Nashville, Tenn., Father Ryan) drove home Irwin for Sewanee's third run of the game on a single through the right side of the infield. Taylor Burns (Dallas, Tex., Lake Highlands) walked to load the bases. Alex Goodsell came on for the Panthers in relief of Clay Jones and struck out the next two Sewanee hitters to end the rally and the game.
Sewanee starting pitcher Logan Ray (Estill Springs, Tenn., Franklin County) was tagged with the loss. Ray pitched six strong innings allowing four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking only one Panther hitter. Pete Anderson (Jacksonville, Fla. , Episcopal) came on in relief of Ray and pitched two scoreless innings.
The Tigers were led at the plate by Irwin, Barrett and Pogue with two hits and one RBI apiece.
With the hard luck loss, Sewanee's record drops to 2-8 on the season and 0-3 in the SCAC. Birmingham Southern is now 14-3.
Sewanee will return to action on Sunday as they face off with SUNY-Purchase at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla. in the week-long Russ-Matt Invitational. Game time is 2:30 pm.
