Softball: Panthers bounce back to split USA South doubleheader with Meredith

Softball: Panthers bounce back to split USA South doubleheader with Meredith

RALEIGH, N.C. - LaGrange bounced back to split its USA South doubleheader with Meredith on Sunday.

The Panthers (6-2, 1-1 USA South) won the second game 9-1 in six innings because of the eight-run mercy rule. Meredith (6-2, 3-1 USA South) had rallied in the final inning for an 8-7 win in the first game.

Dani Gravett, Alison Jiles and Adrienne Little all had five hits on the day. Jiles had two doubles included in her five hits, while she and Little each had four RBIs.

In the first game, the Panthers trailed 5-4 heading to the seventh inning. Jiles' two-out double drove in Danielle Newbern, who had also doubled, with the tying run.

Emily Barrs and Olivia Wolfe both drew walks to load the bases. Little followed with a two-run single to give the Panthers a 7-5 lead.

The Avenging Angels came back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Amanda White tied the game with a two-run double and Eran Aritques followed with a game-winning single.

Kara Patterson (1-1) took the loss in relief of Gravett, who pitched the first five innings.

The Panthers scored in five of the six innings of the second game. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Jiles and Little had RBI singles sandwiched around a bases loaded walk to Wolfe.

Jiles added another run scoring base hit in the second, then Gravett cleared the bases with a three-run double in the third to up the lead to 7-0.

Emily Barrs hit a solo home run in the fourth to make it 8-0. It was Barr's first home run of the season. Little closed out the Panthers' scoring with an RBI single.

The Panthers play at William Peace on Monday in another USA South doubleheader.