HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (April 3, 2006)—Hampden-Sydney senior starter Michael Hall (Leonardtown, MD/St. Mary’s-Ryken) pitched six shutout innings to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 victory over 23^rd-ranked (ABCA Coaches Poll) LaGrange College Monday at Yank Bernier Field.  The win is the third for the Tigers over a ranked opponent this season as the team improves to 14-12 overall, while LaGrange falls to 20-7. 

Hall scattered three hits while walking two and striking out two en route to picking up his second victory of the season.  Sophomore Daniel Hadra (Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee) got the save, his third of the year, after working three innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out two. 

The Tigers added one run in the third and two in the fifth as they built a 3-0 lead.  Junior right fielder John Apperson (Lynchburg, VA/Heritage) drove in the first run of the game in the third and added another RBI in the fifth, while sophomore short stop Todd Harrell (Chesapeake, VA/Nansemond-Suffolk) also drove in a run with a double. 

The Panthers rallied with two runs in the ninth as pinch hitter Dusty Luebbers delivered an RBI on a sacrifice fly, while right fielder Ross Caton scored on a passed ball, however LaGrange could not push the tying run across the plate as Hampden-Sydney held on for the win.  LaGrange starter Kevin Finnegan took the loss despite working eight innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits while walking three and striking out three. 

Hampden-Sydney returns to action Wednesday, April 5, when the Tigers travel to Lynchburg, VA, to take on Lynchburg College at 3 pm.