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Photo Credit: Autumn Grace
CARMEL, Ind. – The Hanover Panthers secured the no. 1 seed in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament after winning the HCAC regular season title. With the no. 1 seed, the Blue and Red earned a first round bye and will take on the lowest seed remaining on Thursday afternoon.
 
THE HCAC TOURNAMENT
Hanover claimed their first HCAC regular season title since 2001 with a 17-5 mark. Prior to the 2001 campaign, the Panthers last championship came in 1988. Thursday, they embark on the journey for their first HCAC Tournament crown in program history.
 
The Blue and Red are making their seventh appearance in the HCAC Tournament with the most recent coming in 2022. Hanover seeks their fourth HCAC Tournament victory and first under the guidance of head coach Grant Bellak.
 
WINNING WAYS
Hanover enters the Tournament with a 26-14 overall record, the most wins since 2003 when the program collected 27 wins.
 
The HCAC regular season title comes home to Hanover after a 17-5 HCAC mark. The Panthers topped Transylvania in the HCAC regular season race by two games.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
Entering the weekend, Hanover ranks first in doubles (104) and hits (430). They rank second in total RBI (299), home runs (38), and shutouts (2).
 
Sophomore John Girard (Richmond, Ky.) enters the Tournament leading the HCAC in opposing batting average (.189) and innings pitched (51.0).
 
The Panther pitching staff has combined for a 5.12 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. They have combined for seven saves and 303 strikeouts.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
The first pitch of the HCAC Tournament from Kokomo, Ind. is slated for 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 9 with the no. 3 seed Rose-Hulman taking on the no. 6 seed Franklin.
 
Game two will feature the no. 4 seed Mount St. Joseph against the no. 5 seed Anderson at 1:15 PM.
 
Hanover will compete at 4:30 PM in game three of the Tournament.