LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – The Covenant baseball team earned the split against nationally ranked LaGrange on Saturday afternoon thanks to a walk-off win in game one.

Both contests saw high scores, with the teams combining for 56 runs over the doubleheader.

The Scots improve to 9-12 overall (1-5 USAS), while the Panthers now sit at 20-2 (5-1 USAS).

GAME 1: Covenant 13, LaGrange 12

It was another exciting day of back-and-forth action at the Covenant baseball field as both teams put up double-digit runs in a Covenant walk-off victory.

With the bases loaded, a sacrifice fly from Zeke Gilbert in the bottom of the ninth brought in the winning run and gave the nationally ranked Panthers their second loss of the season (19-2).

The visiting Panthers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first thanks to an RBI single from Cael Chatham and a bases-loaded walk.

But, with one on base, Ken Burke would soon tie the game with a two-RBI home run to left center in the bottom of the second inning (2-2). It was the senior's first of the season.

The third brought many runs for both teams, as they would combine to score eight over the course of the inning. 

LaGrange connected on four singles in their half, bringing in three runs and making it 5-2.

Covenant then quickly responded with five runs of their own off of three hits, giving them a 7-5 lead. Josh Harvey worked a bases-loaded walk to bring the Scots within two (5-3). Then, with the bases still loaded, McKaleb Harlemon launched a grand slam to bring in four more runs (7-5).

Covenant's lead was not to be held for long, though, as the nationally ranked Panthers answered with five more runs in the top of the fourth. LaGrange used five hits, including doubles from Matt Eden and Gabriel Pallo, to quickly take a 10-7 lead. 

But the Scots were not to be outdone, as the runs would continue to come in.

After Harrison Adelgren was walked and Gilbert hit another single, Harvey was able to bring both in to score with a single to right field, cutting the deficit to one (10-9).

LaGrange would tack on another run in their half of the fifth (11-9), but the seesaw action would continue as an RBI-double from Adelgren in the bottom of the fifth kept the Scots within one (11-10).

After both squads were held scoreless for the first time in the sixth inning, a solo home run from Burke tied it up at 11 runs apiece in the bottom of the seventh (11-11). It was Burke's second of the day and the team's third.

Both teams added a single run in the eighth, bringing the score to a 12-12 tie heading into the ninth inning.

The Scots' defense then recorded a quick 1-2-3 top of the inning, allowing them to have one more chance to get the win.

Burke continued his clutch performance with a lead-off single. He was quickly advanced to second base thanks to a single from Andrew Brock. Adelgren then grounded out, advancing both runners, before Kenny Mills was intentionally walked, loading the bases.

It was then that Gilbert launched a high fly ball to left field, scoring Burke and giving Covenant the 13-12 victory over No. 6 LaGrange.

Covenant tallied 15 hits, with six players recording multi-hit games. Gilbert, Harvey, Harlemon, Adelgren, and Joseph Ridenour all had two hits apiece. Burke finished 3-of-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

Zach Tolleson got the start on the mound for the Scots, pitching 3.1 innings and striking out four. Conor Austin (2-2) picked up the win after closing out the contest.

Chatham was 4-for-6 with three RBIs. Baley Coleman started at pitcher, recording four strikeouts, three walks, and seven earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched. Ethan Kramer (0-1) was handed the loss after giving up the winning run in the ninth.

GAME 2: LaGrange 18, Covenant 13

The bats stayed hot for both teams in game two, as the teams would combine for 40 hits. But, the 23 hits from LaGrange proved to be too much for the Scots as they would take game two 18-13.

After the Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in their half of the first, Harlemon launched his second homer of the day in the bottom of the inning to make it 3-2. Burke then quickly tied it up thanks to an RBI double in the second (3-3).

LaGrange answered with five runs off of five hits in the top of the third, making it 8-3. But Covenant soon cut the deficit once again in the bottom of the inning, thanks to a homer from Adelgren with two Scots on base (8-6).

Both teams tacked on more runs in the fourth, ending the inning 11-8 in favor of the Panthers.

Covenant would crawl within one of LaGrange after a four-run fifth inning. Four hits, including a two-RBI home run from Harvey, helped the Scots make it 13-12.

But, the Panthers would go on to outscore Covenant 5-1 over the remainder of the contest, giving them the 18-13 win. 

Harvey finished 4-of-5 with four runs scored and two RBIs. Harlemon was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Gilbert extended his hitting streak to 12 games with his pair of hits (2-of-6, 1 RBI). Aaron Northcutt (0-4) received the loss after throwing three innings and recording eight earned runs.

Jack Layrisson went 4-for-7 with four RBIs for the Panthers. Nate Darwin finished 4-of-5 with three RBIs. Jacob Brown (2-0) earned the win after recording two strikeouts, one walk, and one earned run in 2.2 innings pitched.

UP NEXT

Covenant will travel to face Sewanee on Tuesday, March 29. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.