Kayla Folds pitched LaGrange to a sweep of visiting Averett in a USA South doubleheader Saturday. The Panthers improved to 9-11 overall and 4-8 in conference play in stopping a six-game losing streak.
Folds (4-4) threw three shutout innings of relief as the Panthers won the first game 3-2. She pitched a complete game five-hitter as the Panthers finished the sweep of the Cougars (11-15, 5-7 USA South) with a 1-0 win.
The Panthers picked up a pair of unearned runs in the first inning of Game 1. Kalin Oglesby walked and came all the way around to score when Dani Gravett's grounder to second was misplayed and went to the outfield fence.
Courtney Beshel, who had four hits in the twinbill, followed Gravett with an opposite field single to right to drive in Gravett to make it 2-0. The Panthers carried the lead into third inning.
Averett got a run off Gravett in the third, who started on the mound, to cut the Panthers' lead. The Cougars tied the game in the fourth with a run.
Folds relieved Garrett in the top of the fifth inning. She allowed Emily Dunford a lead off single, but Jenna Rudder lined into an inning-ending double play. She retired the final six batters in order, striking out the final two to end the game.
The Panthers got the go-ahead run in the the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Beshel kept the inning going with a base hit to center. Danielle Newbern followed with a double to the gap in right field as Beshel came around to put the Panthers up 3-2.
The second game was a pitcher's duel between Folds and Averett's Amy Hamlett. The Panthers turned inning-ending double plays in the first and second innings to back up Folds.
The Panthers broke up the duel in the bottom of the sixth inning. Beshel and Newbern reached on back-to-back singles to start the inning. Kelbi Burgering made it three hits in a row with one down the left field line to drive in Beshel for a 1-0 lead.
Folds allowed a one-out single in the top of the seventh inning. She retired the lead runner on a force out at second and ended the game by getting a fly out to left field.
The Panthers host Mary Baldwin in a USA South doubleheader Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.
