ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The 14th ranked NC Wesleyan College Baseball team fell a run short in their comeback bid against West top seed LaGrange College (Ga.) on Sunday falling 6-5 in game one of the USA South Championship Series.

LaGrange got off to a fast start in the first inning taking advantage of two Bishop errors in the first inning along with a two-run single to take a 3-0 lead.

Wesleyan would then begin to chip away at their deficit by scoring in the 2nd inning on CF Drifton Padgett's RBI single that brought in 2B Davie Morgan. After LC added another run in the 5th, the Bishops would again rally in the 6th scoring two runs on a single again from Padgett that made it 4-3. Scoring the runs were Morgan and DH Jackson Murray, who walked and singled respectively.

LaGrange (23-7) would then get to Bishops starter Derrick Carter (8-1) for two runs in the 7th to go up 6-3. Rookie Pitcher of the Year Danny Thompson then came on to replace Carter in the 7th and go on to shut out the Panthers over the final 2 and 1/3 innings.

Wesleyan then began the ninth inning by loading the bases with no outs as Padgett singled and freshman 3B Tyson Bass doubled before junior LF Zach Lyon walked. After a strikeout, Padgett would score on a wild pitch to make it 6-4. Then, a sacrifice fly from freshman 1B Jackson Hobbs made it 6-5. Unfortunately, though, after a Murray walk, SS Nate Hibbs was caught striking out looking to end the game. 

Carter suffered his first loss by throwing 6 and 2/3 innings allowing 6 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts. Thompson struck out one and allowed only two hits over the final 2 and 1/3 innings.

Padgett led with 3 hits and 3 RBIs in the loss while Bass, Lyon, and senior RF Alec Titmus also finished with two-hit games.

The teams will finish their championship series at Noon on Monday from Bauer Field with #13 Wesleyan (31-7) needing two wins for the championship. The If Necessary game would then begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Noon matchup.