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The LaGrange softball team went to war for the first time in 2023, coming out on the losing end of a 6-5 contest with Central High on Tuesday. It was a tough loss for the Grangers, who led 5-0 early but could not come up with the winning plays late.

In fact, all five runs from the Grangers came in the first inning. Tatum Nation hit a bases clearing double, although one run was attributed to an error, to get the Grangers on the board early. Two pitches later Hudson Wood extended that lead to 5-0 when she connected sweetly on a ball that carried over the left field wall. 

LaGrange had itself an early lead, but Central kept chipping away at the Granger lead, scoring one in the third before adding two in the fourth and an additional two in the fifth to tie the game. 

The Grangers were able to generate some offense but never the decisive hit or run to make the difference. LaGrange was able to get Jasia Swanson onto second base with no outs in the bottom of the seventh but could not find a way to bring her home and tie the game. 

Wood and Nation led the way for the offense, both going 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Tatiana Dudley, Carolyne Garcia, Harlee Overton and Swanson all had hits in their 2023 season debut. For Swanson it was her LaGrange debut, getting the start in the outfield and making an impact. Wood, a junior, will have a hard time following up Tuesday’s effort after she hit a home run in her first at-bat of the season. 

Zoe Thompson got the call on the mound and pitched a complete game for the Grangers, striking out six along the way.

LaGrange started its season 0-1 and will get another chance for its first win when the team hosts Northgate on Thursday.