LAGRANGE, Ga. -- Covenant College lost 2 out of 3 games to the LaGrange College Panthers this weekend by scores of 6-2, 3-5, and 5-7. The weekend series played in LaGrange saw the Scots take the first game on Thursday behind the strong efforts of Sterling Witt, who dazzled on the mound for the Scots. But errors and wasted opportunities saw the Scots lose the final 2 games on Friday and Saturday.
Thursday, the Scots came ready to play, as they pounded out 11 hits and 6 runs. Behind the combined efforts of Witt, Shane Ludwick, and Demarius Johnson, Covenant's pitching staff held LaGrange to just 1 earned run in 9 innings. Witt, who pitched his best game of the year, threw 6 innings and struck out 4. He showed excellent control with his 99 pitches, allowing no walks on the day. He earned a no-decision when he left in a 2-2 game in the 7th inning.
Ludwick earned his first win of the year when he tossed a scoreless frame in the 7th. Johnson was untouchable as usual, throwing 2 shutout innings to close the game. He struck out 3 and earned his fourth save of the year.
Offensively, Covenant was led by Taylor Oldham's 10th home run and James Rollins' 3 hits. David Lockwood had a huge hit in the top of the 8th. With the score tied at 2, Rollins on first, and Luke Furuto on second, Lockwood ripped a 1-0 fastball over the left fielders head that scored 2 and put the Scots up 4-2.
Covenant went on to score 2 more runs and win the game 6-2. The Scots improved to 22-11 and needed just one win in the final two games for the series win.
Covenant lost a close one in game two, 5-3. The scoring came early for LaGrange as they scored all their runs in the first 3 innings. Andre Glover was able to settle down from some shaky defense by the Scots, and a few timely hits from LaGrange, to give up no runs in the last five innings. He ended the day with a complete game, which he allowed 2 earned runs (3 unearned) and struck out 2. He also kept the ball low and induced 13 ground balls.
On the offensive side, Covenant could not get much going off of Trevor Tullock, who started for the Panthers. Tullock threw his 2nd career complete game and allowed just 3 runs, earning his 5th win of the season.
Witt and Oldham each had 2 hits for the Scots as the team was only able to muster 9 hits in 9 innings.
Game three the Scots lost a heart breaker, as they had the tying run on first base with no outs in the 9th inning, but were unable to score him.
Tyler Smith had an uncharacteristically poor start, in which he took his first loss of 2011. In 5 and 2/3 innings, he surrendered 6 runs (2 unearned). He struck out 5 and walked none.
The real problem though was Covenant's lack of ability to capitalize with runners on base. Though they managed 19 base runners compared to the Panthers 11, Covenant only scored 5 runs. This resulted in 14 runners being left on base and the Scots losing another tough game.
Big innings, which have hindered the Scots all year, got Covenant in the 6th as the Panthers plated 5 runners on 4 hits and 1 error.
On the bright side, Lockwood, Oldham, Rollins, and Witt had big days at the plate as they combined to go 9 for 16.
Johnson also pitched 2 innings, striking out 5, and giving up no runs.
Down by 3 as they entered the ninth, Covenant tried to mount a comeback. Witt and Lockwood led the inning off with a single before Jonathan Carter walked which loaded the bases with no outs. But 2 strike-outs and a fly later, and the game was over.
Covenant's record is now 22-13. The Scots have just 3 remaining games in the regular season, with Tuesday being the last home game. The team will hope to send their seniors out with a bang when they play Berry College at 4:00pm.
