MARION, Ala. - LaGrange closed out its regular schedule with a split of a non-conference doubleheader with Judson. The Panthers (15-15) rallied to take the first game 5-4 in 8 innings before Judson came back to take the second game 5-3.
Game 1
LC overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the opener. Taylor Long's two-run home run in the fifth cut Judson's lead to 3-2. In the sixth, Sydney Hodorff's two-out RBI single scored pinch-runner Carolyn Harkness with the tying run. The Panthers pushed across two runs in the top of the eighth. Long scored the go-ahead run on Hodorff's sacrifice fly. Haley Coleman's two-out hit plated Brittany Todd to up the lead to 5-3. The Eagles got a run back in its half of the eighth, but Natalie Glass (1-0) retired the last two batters to secure the win. Glass pitched the final 3-2/3 innings, allowing the unearned run on two hits. LC finished with 11 hits as Todd was a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles.
Game 2
Long led off the game with her second home run of the day to give the Panthers a quick 1-0 lead. Michaela Keel added an RBI single to put LC up 2-0 after an inning. Long drove in McKenzie Brunel with a run-scoring double in the fourth to up the Panthers' lead to 3-0. Judson came back with four runs in its half of the fourth. The Eagles needed only one hit and took advantage of four Panther errors in the inning. Judson added an insurance run in the fifth to make it 5-3. Payton Thomas (6-6) took the loss, allowing four runs, only one earned. Long and Brunel each had two hits, while Kelsey Dietz added a double.
The Panthers play at Huntingdon in the first round of the USA South Tournament. The best of three series begins with a doubleheader Friday, with the if necessary game Saturday.
