BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 15 Birmingham-Southern baseball team won the Super Regional series and clinched a spot in the 2019 NCAA Division III World Series with an 11-2 win over No. 17 Coe College on Saturday afternoon.
The win marks BSC's first ever Super Regional title and the program's first ever appearance in the World Series.
After coming from behind to win in extra innings on Friday night, the Panthers made sure to leave no doubt in Saturday's game. Despite having just three more hits than the Kohawks, the Panthers capitalized in situations with runners on base, leaving just four stranded for the entire game.
BSC scored a run in the third and three more in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead heading into the final half of the game. BSC's offensive production exploded even further with six more runs in the fifth inning and their 11th and final run of the game for good measure in the sixth inning.
Shortstop Alfredo Granier (Atlanta, Ga./Holy Innocents Episcopal) led the Panthers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, including the game's opening run in the third.
Sophomore Brian Williams (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS), who extended his on-base streak to 31 games, had a game-high two RBI, both coming off a single that spurred the Panthers impressive fifth inning.
On the mound, senior John Michael Shirley (Mobile, Ala./UMS-Wright Prep) was dealing against the Kohawks. The right-hander tossed seven strong innings, facing 25 batters and allowing just one run off four hits while striking out five. With the win, Shirley improved his record to 6-2 on the year.
Relievers Hanan Mauldin (Florence, Ala./Florence HS) and Tristan Harvin (Dothan, Ala./Houston Academy) finished out the game, each pitching an inning a piece.
With the win, Birmingham-Southern improves to 39-13 on the year. The Panthers will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 30 through May 5 for BSC's first ever appearance in the NCAA World Series. The World Series will be an eight-team, double-elimination tournament. BSC's opponent in the opening round has yet to be determined.
For more information about purchasing tickets to the NCAA Division III World Series, please visit www.ncaa.com/tickets or click HERE.