Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. – The Hendrix College baseball team could not hold on to a one-run lead in the top of the ninth as they fell to Birmingham-Southern 6-3 in Southern Athletic Association action at Bear Stadium on Friday night. The visiting Panthers (16-7, 7-0) scored four runs on two hits and two errors in the top of the ninth to take the series opener.

The Warriors (9-14, 3-7) got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore right fielder Matt Simmons led off with an infield single and reached second on a throwing error. After stealing third, Simmons scored on a base hit from junior designated hitter Jacob Perschke, who reached second on another error. Sophomore catcher Seth Mobley followed a single to center field, plating Perschke to give Hendrix a 2-0 lead.

BSC answered with two runs in the fifth when third baseman Brandon Perry led off with a walk and scored on a triple from designated hitter Jake Campbell. Center fielder Stephen Denton recorded a bunt single, scoring Campbell from third.

Hendrix regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Simmons walked, stole second and scored on a Perschke base hit through the right side of the infield.

With one out in the top of the ninth, BSC right fielder reached second on a dropped fly ball by left fielder Austin Womack. Ethan Netherton followed by flying out to center for the second out of the inning, then catcher Tanner McGill was hit by a pitch and Perry walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Zach Wagner drove in two with a base hit and another error led to Perry scoring, giving the Panthers a 5-3 lead. Pinch runner Casey Lambert scored the final run of the game on a Campbell base hit.

In the bottom of the ninth, sophomore Ryan Ritz led off with a bunt single and freshman second baseman Charlie St. Clair had a base hit to put two on with no outs. Junior center fielder Collin Radack hit a shallow blooper, causing Ritz to get held up in between second and third, leading to a double play. Panther closer Blake Yance then got freshman shortstop Brandon Smith to strike out looking for the final out of the game.

Hendrix outhit BSC 11-8, but the Warriors left 10 men on base. The BSC pitching staff also recorded 15 strikeouts.

St. Clair recorded three hits for Hendrix and Ritz, Mobley and Perschke each had two. Perschke also drove in two runs. Simmons had a hit, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Radack extended his school-record hitting streak to a school-record 22 games in the first inning with a single.

Campbell went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBI for the Panthers and second baseman Taylor McCracken had a pair of hits.

On the mound, Miles Nordgren (2-0) earned the win, by allowing just a walk and fanning one in a scoreless eighth. Yance picked up his fourth save of the year by throwing the ninth. BSC starter Blake Stevens struck out 10, but gave up nine hits, three runs and two walks in 4.2 innings.

Warrior senior starter Ted Smoyer (2-2) struck out four, but gave up seven hits, two earned runs, two walks and hit two batters in 8.2 innings.

Game two of the three-contest series will be at noon at Warrior Field on Saturday.