Methodist held off a last inning LaGrange rally for a 7-5 win Sunday at Williamson Stadium in Cleaveland Field. The Panthers (2-2, 2-1 USA South) took two of the three weekend games from the Monarchs (3-2, 1-2 USA South).
The Panthers had 12 hits in the game. Brandon Espinosa, Cody Muren and Blake Schuck each two hits. Schuck had a double included in his two hits. Josh Shiver also had a double in the game.
Drew Williamson (0-1) started for the Panthers. He allowed four runs; only two were earned in 4-1/3 innings of work. Williamson was followed by Derek O'Kelley and Tyler Brooks. Henry Jacobs retired the side in the ninth inning.
The Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. They had five straight hits in the inning. Jim Reed had a bases-loaded two-run single in the inning.
Methodist came back with six unanswered runs to take the lead. The Monarchs got a run in the fourth, three in the fifth and two more in the sixth inning to go up 6-2.
The Panthers got a run back in the bottom of their half of the sixth inning. Espinsoa singled with one out. He moved up on a ground out, then came around to score as James Hall reached on an error to make it 6-3.
The Panthers trailed 7-3 headed to the bottom of the ninth inning. Muren led off the inning with a single and came all the way around to score when Shiver doubled to the gap in left center. Shiver later scored as Kyle Nerbonne reached on a single for the 7-5 final score.
The Panthers host Berry on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
