LaGrange finished a perfect week with a sweep of visiting Salem in a doubleheader on Sunday. The Panthers (4-0) won the first game 8-7 in eight innings, then took the second game 12-4.
Danielle Newbern had five hits, including two doubles and a home run, for the Panthers. She scored six runs and drove in another five runs.
The Panthers banged out 20 hits in the doubleheader. Kelbi Burgering was a perfect 3-for-3 in the first game, while Kalin Oglesby had three hits in the two games.
The Panthers came from behind twice to win the first game. Salem took a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning.
Burgering started a three-run rally for the Panthers with a double to lead off the third. Kayla Grizzle was hit by a pitch and one out later Newbern doubled to the gap in left center to make it 4-2. Oglesby drove Newbern with a single to make it a one-run game.
The Panthers took a 6-4 lead with three runs in the fifth inning. Newbern doubled to lead off the inning and came around to score as Oglesby reached on an error. Laura Webber added an RBI double and Dani Gravett a run-scoring single.
Salem came back in the top of the sixth with three runs to retake the lead. Newbern tied the game with her second home run of the season in the bottom of the inning.
The Panthers got the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth. Megan Wadsworth stole third and scored as Christy Flick had an infield hit.
In the second game, Gravett's grand slam to center field gave the Panthers a 4-0 lead in the first inning. The home run was the second of the season for Gravett. With the four home runs in the first four games, the Panthers have already surpassed last year's total of three home runs.
The Panthers extended their lead to 9-1 after three innings. Newbern and Oglesby had RBI singles in the second inning. Courtney Beshel doubled in a run and Jordan Conner's single scored two more runs in the third inning.
Leading 9-4, the Panthers closed out the game on the eight-run mercy rule in the fifth inning. Newbern and Oglesby again had run-scoring singles in the inning. Newbern ended the game by scoring on a passed ball for the 12-4 final.
The Panthers host St. John Fisher on Wednesday in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.
