FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Blake Butcher and Blane Swift powered No. 2/3 LaGrange to a sweep of a USA South doubleheader of Methodist on Saturday at Armstrong-Shelley Field. The Panthers (28-3, 13-1 USA South) took Game 1 6-3, then completed the sweep with an 8-5 win in the second game.
With the two wins, the Panthers clinched winning their seventh straight series of the season and 13th straight dating back to the 2016 season. LC and the Monarchs (14-17, 6-8 USA South) close out their series Sunday.
Game 1
Ryan Broaderick (6-0) allowed just three hits and an earned run over seven innings to remain unbeaten. He walked just one and struck out eight. Jonathan Fleckenstein gave up an unearned run in two inning of relief. Butcher drove in four runs in the game, including a two-run home run. The home run was his team-leading sixth of the season. Tavin Thompson had two hits, including a triple, and scored twice.
Game 2
Swift three-run home run broke a 2-2 tie and capped a five-run third inning in the second game. The home run was Swift's fourth of the season. Billy Peatross had tied the game with a two-out two-run single. Butcher finished his day with an RBI triple in the sixth inning. The RBI tied Butcher with Casey Bell for the team and conference lead with 37. Andrew Weekley (6-1) tied Broaderick for the team lead in wins by going six innings. He gave up two unearned runs, walked two and struck out four. He was followed by Josh Smith, who pitched two scorless innings, Zach English, and Austin Perez.
