Panthers are NCAA bound

DANVILLE, Va. - The Panthers of Ferrum College are the USA South Conference Tournament Champions after defeating the regular season champion Methodist Monarchs by a final of 5-4 at Dan Daniel Park Sunday.

The lead changed five times in an exciting game, and began in the bottom of the first when Ferrum brought in its first run. Tournament MVP, Quincy Davenport led off the inning with a single, and eventually scored on a fielders choice RBI by Donnie Sprouse. Methodist answered in the top of the second when Michael Ellsworth reached on a walk, and scored on an RBI groundout by Josh Harris.

After a few more scoreless innings, Ferrum took the lead again after Davenport doubled through the left side and came across the plate when Sprouse got another RBI on a single through the left side.

Methodist scored two more runs in the top of the seventh to grab a 3-2 advantage. Harris singled and later scored when Spivey singled through the right side, and putting Matt Hunt on third, who was hit by a pitch. Hunt then scored on a throwing error by the catcher.

Ferrum answered quickly in the bottom of the seventh with two more runs to regain the lead. Davenport got on base with a single, and was followed by a Brett Thomas single. On the next play, Kasey Harmon doubled to right field, which scored Davenport. On the same play, Thomas was thrown out at home plate on a relay from right field to second base, which sent Harmon towards third base. The catcher made the throw to third but missed his target, prompting Harmon to score on the same play that he started. The crazy play left Ferrum with the 4-3 advantage.

In the top of the ninth for Methodist, Kent reached on a fielder's choice, and Andy Redman came to pinch run for him. Redman then stole second, and was moved to third on a flyout by Hunt, and finally scored on a single by Spivey to knot the game at 4-4.

However, in the bottom of the ninth, Jesse Fuller hit a leadoff double to left-center and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Davenport. With one away in the inning, Fuller scored on a game winning single up the middle by Brent Sowers, which gave the Panthers the championship.

This is the first USA South Conference Tournament title for the Panthers of Ferrum. This win gives them an automatic bid to the NCAA regional tournament. (Box)