MONTGOMERY, Ala. - LaGrange pulled away for an 8-4 win over Southwestern at the Firehouse Classic on Saturday at Huntingdon's Posey Field.
The win kept the Panthers (5-0) perfect on the young season. The 5-0 start is LC's best since the 2006 season.
Casey Bell led the Panthers' 12-hit attack with four of his own, including a home run. Over the last three games, Bell is 11-for-14 for a .785 average. Bell's solo home ru
Southwestern (1-1) led 1-0 after three innings. Bell's solo home run in the fourth tied the game. The Panthers broke the 1-1 tie with a three-run fifth inning. Thompson drove in the first two runs with a single to left and later scored as Blake Butcher grounded out.
The Pirates cut LC's lead to 4-3 with two runs in the sixth innng. The Panthers put the game out of reach in the eighth inning.
Bell doubled to lead off the inning and came around to score on Austin Jones' double. Billy Peatross had a pinch hit RBI single and Thompson beat out an infield hit to drive in the fourth and final run to put LC up 8-3.
Zach English started and went 5-1/3 innings to get the win. He allowed three runs on nine hits. Austin Brown pitched 2-2/3 scoreless innings and Austin Perez gave up an unearned run in the ninth.
The Panthers close out the tournament Sunday against Oglethorpe.
