Despite a combined four hits and four RBI from leaderoff hitter Trey Akins, the Sewanee baseball team opened its 2016 season with a pair of losses to visiting LaGrange, Saturday, at historic Montgomery Field.

The Tigers dropped the opener 3-2 and then lost to the Panthers 12-4 in the nightcap.

In the opening contest, Sewanee got on the board first in the bottom of the second. With two outs Ryan Poole reached on a hard-hit double. After Poole advanced to third on a wild pitch and Riley Brandvold walked, Akins singled in his first RBI.

The Tigers looked to score again after Derek Hullings singled, however Brandvold was out heading home on a play at the plate.

The score remained at 1-0 until the bottom of the seventh. With Brandvold on second, Akins singled again which drove in the second Tiger run.

Unfortunately, Sewanee could not hold its lead the final two innings. After junior catcher Chad Pigg doubled, junior infielder Joe Pradat singled Pigg home. Sewanee got out of the jam when relievers Bryce Benedicit andHarrison Lee combined to give up only one hit.

Leading 2-1 heading into the top of the ninth, LaGrange rallied. With two outs and two runners on, Keith Sims tied the game when he reached on an error. That Sewanee miscue scored one. After another base-on-balls by LaGrange, Ryan Tillman relieved Lee. Unfortunately, Tillman walked the next LaGrange hitter before retiring Blake Butcher.

Sewanee then went three-up-three-down in the ninth.

Sewanee starter Drew Mancuso was outstanding going 6.0 innings. He allowed only one hit while striking out three.  

Along with Akins, Tony Dykes finished 2-for-4 at the plate.

In the second game, LaGrange again rallied late. Down 3-0, the Panthers scored four runs in the top of the seventh and eight in the ninth.

Despite another good outing by a Tiger starter, Sewanee's bullpen could not hold the lead. Starter J.T. Hintzen powered his way to nine strikeouts in just 6.0 innings of work.

Butcher led LaGrange at the plate going 3-for-5 with three RBI, a run scored, a double, and a homerun.

Sewanee and LaGrange will close out their three-game series with a noon contest, Sunday.

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