Abbey Gardner of the LaGrange College softball team improved to 3-0 in the circle with a complete-game effort during an 11-0, five-inning win in Game 1 against Judson Saturday, and then Payton Thomas threw a one-hitter in an 8-0, six-inning victory during Game 2 at the LC Softball Complex.
The Panthers (5-3) improved to 3-1 at home this season, as the team was led from an offensive perspective by junior Brittany Todd (4-for-7, 4 runs, RBI), senior Taylor Long (3-for-8, 4 runs, 2 RBIs), Gardner (3-for-6, double, 5 RBIs, 2 runs) and senior Riley Densmore (3-for-6, home run, 3 RBIs, 2 runs). The inside-the-park home run was the first of Densmore's career.
LaGrange held a 24-5 advantage in hits during the two games, as the eight-run mercy rule after five innings ended both games.
"We played a very good Judson team and I am very proud of our team," said Panthers head coach Jennifer Claybrook. "Abbey and Payton had stellar performances in the circle, with excellent pitch calling from behind the plate by Riley and Rebekah Hobson. Taylor, Landon DeLamar and McKenzie Brunel provided excellent defensive plays. We are looking forward to continuing to work diligently and improve as the season unfolds."
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS (LaGrange 11, Judson 0 – 5 innings):
- The Panthers put their foot on the throttle from the start, as a three-run double to left by Gardner gave the hosts a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Three at-bats later, junior Kaitlin Redman continued the rally, putting the Panthers in front, 5-0, on a two-run single up the middle.
- During the top of the second, Kaley Patteson of Judson recorded a one-out single to short, but Long made a phenomenal diving stop on the hit up the middle and nearly threw Patteson out at first.
- Todd registered a one-out single to short in the bottom of the second, and then scored on an RBI single to left by Gardner. During the ensuing at-bat, Densmore crushed a three-run, inside-the-park home run, extending LaGrange's lead to 9-0.
- A two-out, one-run triple to left by junior Hailey Jones pushed the Panthers' advantage up to 10-0 in the third. A passed ball in the third allowed Jones to race across home, ending the scoring.
- Gardner's shutout was in jeopardy during the fourth, as the Eagles loaded the bases with two outs. The freshman standout got out of the jam, striking out Anslee Vinson swinging. During the top of the fifth, Jones made a heads-up play from right field, as she threw out Hannah Gibson at second during a single by Charlie Sturdivant.
- Gardner pitched a 1-2-3 first inning and finished with three strikeouts in the game, while allowing four hits and walking three. The Panthers led the hits' category, 13-4. Nine different Panthers recorded a hit, including four multi-hit performances.
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS (LaGrange 8, Judson 0 – 6 innings):
- Long opened the bottom of the first with a single up the middle. She then advanced all the way to third on a single by Todd, as a result of skillful base running. A wild pitch allowed Long to sprint across home, and then the unit took a 2-0 lead on a one-out, RBI single through the left side by Gardner.
- In the top of the third, Hobson threw out Gibson, who was attempting to steal second, as Long applied the tag on a perfect throw. One pitch later, Thomas struck out Sturdivant swinging.
- In the top of the fourth, DeLamar made a tremendous diving stop on a ground ball up the middle and flipped the ball to Long for the force out at second, ending the inning.
- The lead ballooned up to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth, with Long scoring an unearned run off a wild pitch.
- During the top of the sixth, the Panthers turned a highlight-reel double play on an infield ground ball to short. Long tossed the ball to DeLamar for the force out at second, and then Gardner made an outstanding scoop at first to finish the play off.
- The Panthers blew the game open in the sixth, with a two-run double by Thomas and a two-run single by Long, pushing the lead up to 7-0. Todd tallied the game-ending, RBI single to center, as Long ran across home with the Panthers' eighth run.
UP NEXT:
- The Panthers will open their USA South schedule with a doubleheader against Huntingdon on Monday, with game times set for 5 and 7 p.m. Eastern Time in Montgomery, Alabama.
