AMERICUS, GA - The Claflin Panthers (1-6, 0-4 PBC) opened their second straight Peach Belt Conference (PBC) weekend series on a down note when the team took a 17-1 road loss to the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes (8-13, 2-2 PBC), Saturday afternoon. The loss came in spite of a hard-fought effort by the Panthers.
 
As a team, the Panthers were overwhelmed by the Hurricanes' offensive attack. The Panthers compiled five hits in the game, including a double and a run scored while allowing 13 hits to the Hurricanes . Claflin junior outfielder Cameron Mitchem led the way for the team with a one-for-three batting effort that included a double and an RBI. Graduate outfielder Steven Joyner went one-for-three with a run scored.
 
Claflin senior X'Zavier Johnson (0-2) took the pitching loss after starting the game. Junior Trevonte Green came in for 2.2 innings and he finished the game with a strikeout. James Hardin came in for 2.1 innings of his own before finishing the game with a strikeout.
 
The Panthers and the Hurricanes will close the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Hurricane Stadium. For more information on Panthers baseball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.