Birmingham-Southern’s magical postseason ends with an 11-10 loss in the D-3 World Series

EASTLAKE, Ohio (AP) — Birmingham-Southern’s magnificent and magical journey has ended in pain.

The Panthers’ inspired postseason run, which came as the Alabama liberal arts college was shuttered in financial failure after more than 160 years, ended Sunday with an 11-10 loss to Wisconsin- Whitewater in the Division III College World Series.

It’s a painful end for a never-say-die team that brought so much joy to the close-knit school community while capturing the hearts of American sports fans who could relate to the Panthers’ story of loss and pride.

Birmingham-Southern built a 10-5 lead through six innings but couldn’t stop Wisconsin-Whitewater, which scored two runs in the seventh, three in the eighth and got a homer from Sam Paden in the top of the ninth .

Someone had to be the villain.

When Paden’s homer fell well behind the left-field wall, several Birmingham South players stood still in disbelief.

After all, there was no storybook ending.

Moments later, manager Jay Weisberg and his players lined the third-base line and together tipped their hats to the BCS fans who made the trip to Cleveland and were picked up by the team.

The loss is not only the final chapter for Birmingham-Southern, but also its solid baseball program, which was competing for its first national title — the Panthers were the national runners-up in 2019 — amid the school’s absence.

The doors to BSC were officially closed on Friday as the Panthers opened the eight-team double-elimination tournament with a loss to Salve Regina.

And while they won’t be going home with a trophy, Birmingham-Southern’s players have brought joy to a community still dealing with the fact that the school is gone forever.