KOKOMO, Ind. – After a fast start, the Panthers (27-15) found themselves stunned in extra innings surrendering a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament game to the no. 2 seed Transylvania Pioneers, 12-10.
ON THE MOUND
John Girard was lights out for the Panthers on the bump as he pitched eight complete innings with an impressive 13 strikeouts. The 13 strikeouts left him just one shy of the HCAC Tournament record of 14.
Chris Hautman pitched relief throwing one complete inning, allowing five runs on four hits.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior
Connor Farnsley (Jeffersonville, Ind.) would put the Panthers up 1-0 in the first inning as he singled to right field scoring senior
Alex Christie (Greenwood, Ind.), 1-0.
The second inning, junior
Sam Perkins (Louisville, Ky.) delivered the RBI with a grounder to shortstop plating junior
Matthew McCoy (Charlestown, Ind.), 2-0.
However, Perkins wasn't done as he added another blow in the fourth inning to extend the HC difference to 3-0.
With all the momentum, Transylvania looked to slow the RBI train adding a run in the fifth inning to pull within 4-1.
But the Panther refused to be derailed as Roudebush added a run in the fifth inning before Christie provided an RBI in the seventh inning giving Hanover the 6-1 advantage.
The Pioneers, with their backs against the wall, ultimately delivered derailing the Hanover momentum. Transylvania used a one out grand slam to left field to knot the contest 6-6.
In extras, the Pioneers struck first tacking on six runs in the top of the 10
th inning, 12-6.
Hanover attempted the comeback as they were able to load the bases in the bottom half of the inning with junior
David Newbanks (New Albany, Ind.) providing a clutch two out RBI. The nail-biting finish ensued as junior
Jake Danneman (Edgewood, Ky.) took one for the team to plate another run. The final run of the contest was scored by Christie who doubled down the right field line before the Pioneers retired the side.
Hanover returns to the diamond on Saturday, May 11 at 3:30 PM taking on the winner of Anderson at Rose-Hulman at noon.