February 23, 2007

LaGRANGE, Ga. -- LaGrange College pounded out 13 hits in Thursday's 13-7 win over Millsaps at Cleaveland Field before the 13th-ranked Majors rebounded to win 6-2 on Friday thanks in part to a complete game from senior transfer Brent Buffa.

In Game 1, LaGrange (3-5) rallied from a 7-5 deficit in the third inning, scoring eight unanswered runs over the final six innings off four different Millsaps pitchers.

Senior Justin Phelps (2-0) tossed seven solid innings, allowing no runs off three hits when starter Joey Merrifield was knocked out in the third inning after allowing seven runs (earned) off six hits.

Sophomore Patrick Langley and junior Jimmy Statler led the Panthers offensive attack, with Langley going 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and Statler going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

For Millsaps (6-2), Brandon Ingram was hit with his first loss of the season after giving up four runs off four hits in 2 2/3 innings. Offensively for the Majors, Hunter Abrams and John Pacillo were a combined 3-for-8 with six RBIs.

In Game 2, Buffa (2-0, 2.00 ERA) pitched his first complete game in a Majors uniform, surrendering nine hits and two late runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Millsaps plated two quick runs in the first frame after Hunter Owen blasted his fourth homerun of the season over the left centerfield wall to score Justin Carter.

They added two more in the eighth and two more in the ninth when Jason Hadley stole home and Pacillo scored Carter on an RBI-single to right center.

LaGrange put together a small rally in the bottom of the ninth to cut the gap to 6-2, but that's as close as they would get, as Buffa (pictured) retired the final two batters on a fly out and a groundout to second base to end the game.

The Majors continue their four-game road swing this weekend, traveling to Demorest, Ga., to face off with Piedmont College at Loudermilk Field. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT with Saturday's game slated for a 1 p.m. CT start.