DEMOREST, Ga. - LaGrange won its eighth straight game; beating Piedmont 7-1 at Loudermilk Field on Friday. The 16th-ranked Panthers upped their season record to 14-1, including 4-0 in the USA South.
Ryan Broaderick (3-0) pitched seven strong innings to get the win. He gave up a first inning run on three straight hits, then allowed only one more hit. Broaderick walked two and struck out eight. Josh Smith threw two scoreless innings to close out the game.
LaGrange took advantage of four errors by Piedmont (9-5, 1-3 USA South) to score seven unearned runs. Cain Sauls' two-run single in the third inning broke a 1-1 tie. The Panthers broke the game open in the fifth inning with four runs. They were aided by two Lion errors in the inning.
The Panthers finished with eight hits. Tavin Thompson had two hits, while Chad Pigg and James Poropatic each had a double.
The two teams resume their weekend series Saturday at 3 p.m.
