Roanoke topped LaGrange 9-6 in the season opener for both teams Saturday in Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium.
The Panthers (0-1) got a home run from E.J. Churchich, while McKinley Erves had two hits, including a triple, and three RBIs. Judd Moore added a double.
Richie Post (0-1) started and took the loss as LC used six pitchers. Post went five innings, allowing three runs, two earned. He was followed by Cal Fuller, Tanner Chafin, Will Queen, Gage Morris, and Spencer Douches.
Roanoke (1-0) scored twice in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. Churchich answered for the Panthers in the bottom of the inning with one out. He drove a 2-2 pitch from Evan Parks over the left field fence to cut deficit in half, 2-1.
The Maroons added an unearned run in the third to go up 3-1. It would stay that score until the eighth inning, though Churchich came within a few feet of a second home run with a long out to the left field fence in the fourth inning.
Roanoke erupted for five runs off four Panther pitchers in the eighth inning to build an 8-1 lead. The Panthers came right back in the bottom of the inning with five runs of their own. Austin McDade and Dawson Weaver led off back-to-back hits. Cael Chatham was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Erves sent a line drive to right field, clearing the bases to get LC back in the game. Erves came home on a wild pitch to make it 8-5. The Panthers loaded the bases again with one out on walks to Joe Ruth, Jack Layrisson, and Trey Pearce. Ruth scored the fifth run of the inning as Judd Moore reached on a fielder's choice.
In the ninth, Roanoke added an insurance run to extend their lead to 9-6. Kevin Ledford struck out the side in the Panthers' half of the inning to secure the win for the Maroons.
The two teams play a doubleheader Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.
