By Robert Griffin

Sports Writer

The LaGrange Grangers did a lot of things right at the plate against the Columbus Blue Devils Wednesday at Granger Park.

Against one of the state’s best teams, the Grangers had 12 hits, but they were only able to push across three runs in a 12-3 Region 2-AAA loss.

The setback leaves the Grangers at 2-2 in region play, while the Blue Devils improved to 5-0 in 2-AAA.

“The score was not indicative of how we did offensively,” LaGrange head coach Donnie Branch said. “We swung the bat, and I love the way we swung the bat. They had 13 hits and we had 12, but we had about four crucial mental mistakes on the bases.

“We ran through some stop signs, we had a base running error at second base. We got thrown out at third. We got thrown out at home. When you get 12 hits you are supposed to score eight, nine, or 10 runs and we managed to screw it up.”

Things started out rough for the Grangers in the bottom of the first when Granger starting pitcher Clancy Alford gave up four hits, including a three-run homer to J.T. Phillips.

The Grangers fought back in the bottom of the inning, getting a single from Matt Pauley, who was later brought home on an RBI double from Joseph Mansour, who went 3-for-4.

Pauley finished the game with two hits.

Later in the first, Alex Kirby brought in Mansour with an RBI single to cut Columbus’ lead to 3-2.

The Grangers left 10 runners on base during the game, and could not capitalize on the hits.

The team was not able to score again until the bottom of the sixth inning when Kheldrick Williams hit a solo home run to right field.

Hard-throwing left-hander Will Solomon started and got the win to improve to 6-1.

While the Grangers had trouble getting the big hit, the Blue Devils continually came through in the clutch.

The Blue Devils pushed across two runs in the third inning, one in the fourth, and four in the fifth.

Tyler Mathis, Troy Darr and Phillips had home runs for Columbus.

“Our pitching is not very good right now,” said Branch. “Our defense is broke down. Our pitchers are missing spots and working too slow. Our defensive rhythm is just not good right now.”

On bright spot on the mound was Jacob Boccucci, who three weeks ago served solely as a catcher for the team.

Boccucci worked three innings for the Grangers recording two strikeouts.

The Grangers have dropped two region games this week, but Branch still believes his team can be dangerous if everything falls in place.

“I am very encouraged about the way we are swinging the bat,” he said. “The moral to the story is if we can start pitching it better and play some defense, we are going to be pretty tough to beat down the road.”