Birmingham-Southern’s historic run to Division III College World Series comes to an end (2024)

Published: Jun. 2, 2024 at 7:04 PM CDT

EASTLAKE, Ohio. (WBRC) - Birmingham-Southern’s historic and emotional run to the Division III College World Series has come to an end.

The Panthers were defeated by the Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks after a walk-off from UWW in the bottom of the 9th inning Sunday afternoon in Eastlake, Ohio.

Birmingham-Southern announced in early 2024 that the school would be closing, effective May 31, and the Panthers run to the College World Series garnered national media attention.

From the famous trading card company Topps announcing that they were making BSC trading cards, to film crews following the Panthers run to the College World Series, to the Panthers being dubbed as ‘America’s team’, and so much more, it truly was history in the making.

Wisconsin-Whitewater got on the board first Sunday afternoon with a three-run bottom half of the 2nd inning that included back to back home runs.

The Panthers were able to answer though in the top half of the 3rd with a two-run home run from Eli Steadman to cut it to just a one run game.

After not allowing a run in the bottom of the 3rd, the Panthers tacked on two more runs in the top of the 4th.

Jackson Webster, who hit the walk-off winner Saturday, began the 4th inning with a shot over the right field wall to tie the game 3-3.

After Webster’s home run, Ian Hanco*ck doubled down the right field line before Charlie Bank tripled to left center to drive in Hanco*ck. With Bank now on third, Jakob Zito stepped up to the plate and singled through the left side to drive in Bank and give the Panthers a 5-3 lead.

The Warhawks, who went 41-10 in the regular season, came out swinging in the bottom half of the 4th with a single and a two-run homer over the right field wall to tie the game back up 5-5.

The 5th inning however was the big one for the Panthers.

Parker Ladd flew out to right field but was awarded 1st base due to catchers interference. Eli Stedman then laid down a bunt and reached 1st base safely while also advancing Ladd to 2nd. With runners now on 1st and 2nd, Andrew Dutton doubled to left center field, driving in Ladd and advancing Steadman to 3rd.

After Dutton’s double, Jackson Webster stepped up big again with a single to right field to drive in Dutton and advance Steadman to 3rd.

After a wild pitch advanced Webster to 2nd and Ian Hanco*ck was hit by a pitch, Jakob Zito singled into left field with the bases loaded to add another run for the Panthers. Ty Truett then flew out to center field but it was enough to bring in Webster from 3rd base.

In the top of the 6th inning, Andrew Dutton got things going for BSC with a single to right field. Then, Jackson Webster again came up in the clutch for the Panthers with an RBI double to center field.

The Warhawks bats came alive in the 7th and 8th innings though to officially make it a ball game again.

Wisconsin-Whitewater added two runs in the bottom of the 7th and three more in the bottom of the 8th after a two-run home run from Eli Frank tied the game 10-10.

The Panthers were unable to add any runs in the top of the 9th, going three up three down heading into the bottom half of the inning.

In the bottom of the 9th, Wisconsin-Whitewater hit a walk-off home run over the left field wall to win the game over BSC 11-10.

After the game, the Panthers lined up on the 3rd baseline to salute the crowd and were joined by former players as they all walked off the field together one last time.

Birmingham-Southern announced in 2024 that the school would be closing, effective May 31. For more information, clickhere.

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