Visiting Salem handed LaGrange two tough luck losses Sunday in a USA South doubleheader. The Spirits (10-7, 2-2 USA South) won 5-4 in eight innings in the first game, then took the second 4-3.
The Panthers (2-10, 1-3 USA South) took a 3-2 lead into the final inning of the second game. Freshman Amber Arnold's three-run inside-the-park home run in the fourth inning had given the Panthers the lead. Arnold had four hits in the two games.
Salem was down to its final out with a runner on in the seventh inning. Pinch-hitter Logan Bowling hit a two-run home run off Emily Cauldwell (0-2) to put the Spirits up 4-3. The Panthers were not able to answer off Brianna Morris in the bottom of the inning.
The Panthers finished with five hits in the game. Chelsea Twardoski had two hits, while Katelin Richardson had her third double of the season.
LaGrange took a 4-1 lead after four innings of the first game. Arnold and pinch-hitter Grayson West had run scoring singles in a two-run second inning. In the fourth inning, the Panthers added two more runs. Adrienne Little scored on Taylor Tallant's ground out and Arnold came around to score on a double by Richardson.
Salem pushed across two runs in the seventh inning to tie the game and force extra innings. The Spirits got the go-ahead run off Twardoski (2-4) in the eighth. The Panthers got the tying run as far as third in the bottom of the inning.
The Panthers had 11 hits in the game. Arnold was 3-for-3 with a double. Emily Barrs also had a double, included in her three hits.
The Panthers host Covenant in a USA South doubleheader Sunday.
