Birmingham-Southern baseball draws over $100k in support leading up to College World Series

Against all odds, the Birmingham-Southern baseball team just keeps winning.

Once unsure if they’d be included in the NCAA Tournament field, the Panthers have captured a nation’s heart over the past two weeks with a storybook run to the competition’s final round.

Last Saturday afternoon, the Panthers put the finishing touches on a Super Regional sweep of Denison University, winning two games on the road to advance to the second Division III College World Series in program history. Impressive performances from senior Ian Hancock and freshman Charlie Banks powered the BSC offense to 17 runs over two games, and Panthers starters Drake LaRoche and Josh Leerssen allowed a combined four runs over 16 innings pitched.

“We didn’t see this coming, this great opportunity and experience, and it was right around the corner,” Hancock told AL.com after BSC’s victory. “When you’re looking at the doom and gloom of the school closing you might not see it at the time, but God has a plan and it will work out according to his plan. And the opportunity has been incredible.”

RELATED: Birmingham-Southern baseball advances to Super Regional

The DIII CWS is a double-elimination tournament held in Eastlake, Ohio that will pit the eight Super Regional champions against one another. The Panthers, seeded seventh in the remaining field, will begin their title run against second-seeded Salve Regina on Friday at 3:45 CST. By the time the sun falls, Birmingham-Southern College will no longer exist.

The Panthers’ story has attracted significant national attention, drawing features from ESPN, Yahoo!, the Washington Post, and more. Several documentary crews have requested permission to travel with the team, including the creator of MTV’s Two-A-Days.

The Panthers are relying on community support to finance their remaining travel expenses. The team’s GoFundMe has already shot past its goal of $100,000 dollars.

“Help support Birmingham-Southern baseball in its historic final season!” the fundraiser reads. “All funds will be used for travel expenses and championship rings. Any remaining funds will go to BSC baseball staff to help in their next steps. Yeah Panthers! Forward, ever. Always. Let’s win the whole damn thing!”

The Panthers are flying to the College World Series, in part thanks to a gift from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. In a social media post, the Birmingham-Southern athletic department thanked the tribe for providing their players “the travel experience of a lifetime.”

“The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are proud to announce a donation of $25,000 dollars to help the Birmingham Southern Baseball Team hit their goal of attending the Division III National Championship,” the tribe said in a statement. “We believe in the power of sports to unite communities and inspire excellence, teamwork, and perseverance.”

“We wish them the best of luck and are confident they will represent not only Birmingham Southern, but our entire state of Alabama with pride and distinction.”

Charles Vaughan is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.