By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – It was a familiar pattern for the LaGrange College Panthers.

For the third time this season, LaGrange College’s baseball team dropped the opening game of a three-game series against a USA South opponent.

And for the third time, LaGrange College bounced back to win the final two games of the series.

After dropping Friday’s series opener to Maryville 11-9, LaGrange College bounced back to win Saturday’s doubleheader by scores of 6-2 and 11-1.

The Panthers (21-7 overall) improved to 13-4 in the USA South, and they’ve won every one of their conference series.

LaGrange College steps out of conference play on Wednesday for a home doubleheader against Millsaps beginning at 1 p.m.

LaGrange College returns to USA South play for a three-game home series with Pfeiffer beginning on Friday.

Despite pounded out 15 hits, LaGrange College fell short in the first game against Maryville.

It was a different story on Saturday, as the Panthers continued to swing the bat well while getting it done on the pitcher’s mound as well.

In Saturday’s first game, EJ Churchich and Jack Layrisson each hit home runs to help the Panthers even the series.

Richie Post pitched six innings and held Maryville to two runs on six hits to improve to 5-0.

Spencer Douches, who has had an outstanding season out of the bullpen, pitched three scoreless innings to finish it.

Leadoff hitter Cael Chatham had three hits, including a double, and he had an RBI.

Layrisson had a two-run home run in the eighth inning, and Churchich had a solo homer that broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning.

Rhett Hollon had two hits, Trey Pearce had a hit and an RBI, and Joe Ruth had a hit and a walk.

In the second game, there was no suspense, with the Panthers building a 9-0 lead after four innings on the way to the 11-1 victory.

Chatham once again did a lot of damage from the leadoff position with two hits, a walk, and two RBIs.

Rhett Hollon had a two-run double, Dawson Weaver had a hit and two RBIs, McKinley Erves had two hits including a double, Austin McDade was on base four times with a hit and three walks, and Ryan Ross had a base hit.

Austin Fain improved to 4-0 by pitching six superb innings, holding Maryville to two hits and no runs.

Matthew Becker pitched two innings, and Andrew Padovano finished things off with a scoreless ninth inning.

In Saturday’s first game, EJ Churchich and Jack Layrisson each hit home runs to help the Panthers even the series.

Richie Post pitched six innings and held Maryville to two runs on six hits to improve to 5-0.

Spencer Douches, who has had an outstanding season out of the bullpen, pitched three scoreless innings to finish it.

Leadoff hitter Cael Chatham had three hits, including a double, and he had an RBI.

Layrisson had a two-run home run in the eighth inning, and Churchich had a solo homer that broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning.

Rhett Hollon had two hits, Trey Pearce had a hit and an RBI, and Joe Ruth had a hit and a walk.

In the second game, there was no suspense, with the Panthers building a 9-0 lead after four innings on the way to the 11-1 victory.

Chatham once again did a lot of damage from the leadoff position with two hits, a walk, and two RBIs.

Rhett Hollon had a two-run double, Dawson Weaver had a hit and two RBIs, McKinley Erves had two hits including a double, Austin McDade was on base four times with a hit and three walks, and Ryan Ross had a base hit.

Austin Fain improved to 4-0 by pitching six superb innings, holding Maryville to two hits and no runs.

Matthew Becker pitched two innings, and Andrew Padovano finished things off with a scoreless ninth inning.

It was a different story on Saturday, as the Panthers continued to swing the bat well while getting it done on the pitcher’s mound as