BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Hendrix College baseball team split a Southern Athletic Association double-header with #6 Birmingham-Southern College at Striplin Field Saturday afternoon.

The host Panthers (24-9, 13-4) took the opener 7-3, but the Warriors (19-14, 12-5) rebounded to take game two 1-0.

BSC remains in first place in the SAA at 13-4 with four games left. Hendrix trails by half a game at 12-5. 

In game two, senior Will Nichol (5-2) threw a three-hit, seven-strikeout shutout over seven innings. The win gives him 17 for his career, one of the school record of 18. Stephen Himic (6-2) took the loss, allowing four hits, one run and four strikeouts.

Junior first baseman Harley Faye hit a solo home run over the right field fence to lead off the fifth for the only run of the game. 

Hendrix Game 2 Notes
- Nichol was one off his career high with seven strikeouts. He also threw his second career shutout, tying the school record.
- Junior left fielder Wyatt Hogan extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
- Freshman shortstop Tanner Cooper and sophomore first baseman Jake Wiegand also recorded hits.
- Sophomore right fielder Matthew Lillard laid down a sacrifice bunt.

In the opener, the Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Hogan was hit by a pitch to start the inning, then Cooper reached on a fielder's choice when the Panther pitcher tried to throw Hogan out at second, but was unsuccessful. Sophomore catcher Justin Robison followed with a bae hit, scoring Hogan. Wiegand laid down a squeeze bunt that scored Cooper. 

BSC first baseman Tyler Wise hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to make the game 2-1. The Panthers scored five runs on three hits, an error and a hit batter in the fifth to take a 6-2 lead. Scott connected on a RBI-double in the eighth to go up by five runs.

Hendrix added a run in the ninth when sophomore second baseman reached on an infield single with two outs then scored on a Hogan double to left field.

BSC starter Ryan Gaines (8-1) earned the win, giving up six hits, two runs, two walks and three strikeouts over seven innings. Senior starter Daniel Imbro (5-4) took the loss, lasting just 4.1 innings. Senior Kyle Teachout struck out three batters and only allowed three hits and a walk over 2.2 innings of relief.

Hendrix Game 1 Notes
- Judson went 3-for-5 with a run scored
- Hogan recorded an RBI double.
- Robison went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk.

Birmingham-Southern Game 1 Notes
- Scott recorded a pair of hits, including a double, and knocked in two.
- Shortstop Matt Brown also had two hits and a RBi.
- Wise drove in two batters.
- Right fielder Brayden Housel had two hits and stole two bases.

Up Next
Hendrix and BSC will play the rubber match in a battle for first place Sunday at noon.