The magical postseason run of the Birmingham-Southern baseball team came to a heartbreaking end, even more devastating than expected. The Panthers suffered an 11-10 loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater on Sunday in an elimination game during the Division III College World Series. This loss followed the university’s closure on Friday due to financial issues.
Head coach Jay Weisberg, who has led the Birmingham-Southern program since 2007, expressed his gratitude towards the team. Despite the loss, he found it hard to be sad as he reflected on the incredible ride the players had given him throughout the year. Weisberg emphasized his love for coaching and the joy his players brought to the game.
Although the Panthers held a 10-5 lead through six innings, Wisconsin-Whitewater rallied back to secure the win. This loss was particularly emotional given the recent news of Birmingham-Southern’s closure. Weisberg encouraged his players to play with freedom and expressed pride in their resilience and spirit.
As the players stood along the third base line after the game, they tipped their caps to the fans in attendance before leaving the field hand in hand. Weisberg reflected on the legacy of Birmingham-Southern, highlighting the impact the university had on the lives of its students. Despite the difficult circumstances, he expressed pride in the team’s performance and the special moments they had created throughout the postseason.