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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The LaGrange Grangers were unable to keep pace with Allatoona on the opening day of the LaGrange Toyota Invitational.

In a game that ended after five innings because of the run rule, Allatoona eased to a 10-0 victory at Granger Park on Thursday night.

The Grangers will look to bounce back when they host Mountain View on Friday at 7:45 p.m., and they’ll complete pool play with a game against Smiths Station on Saturday at 10 a.m.

LaGrange will have a place game either at 5 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

On Thursday, LaGrange had no answer for Allatoona pitcher Logan McGuire, who only allowed one hit while striking out nine in five innings.

Landon Tucker had LaGrange’s sole hit, and Ty Medders reached twice on walks, and Colton Esposito walked once.

Trevor Booton was LaGrange’s starting pitcher, and after a difficult first two innings, he settled down and performed admirably during his four-inning stint.

Allatoona scored six runs (four earned) in the first two innings, but Booton didn’t allow any runs over his final two innings.

In the fourth inning, Booton was aided by an inning-ending double play that was started by Esposito at third base.

LaGrange’s best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fourth.

Tucker led off with a single and Medders walked, putting men on first and second with no outs.

Esposito walked with two outs to load the bases, but McGuire got a strikeout to end the inning.

In Thursday’s first game, Francesco Capocci walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning to bring in the winning run as Denmark outlasted Pacelli 5-4.

The LaGrange Toyota Invitational continues on Friday with six games, and the tournament concludes on Saturday with eight games, including the championship game at 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Denmark 5, Pacelli 4

Allatoona 10, LaGrange 0

FRIDAY’S GAMES

GRANGER PARK

2:45 p.m. – Walton vs. Calvary Christian

5:15 p.m. – Pacelli vs. Walton

7:45 p.m. – LaGrange vs. Mountain View

CALLAWAY

3 p.m. – Mountain View vs. Smiths Station

5:30 p.m. – Smiths Station vs. Allatoona

8 p.m. – Denmark vs. Calvary Christian

SATURDAY’S GAMES

GRANGER PARK

10 a.m. – LaGrange vs. Smiths Station

12:30 p.m. – Denmark vs Walton

CALLAWAY

10 a.m. – Mountain View vs. Allatoona

12:30 p.m. – Pacelli vs. Calvary Christian

PLACE GAMES

AT CALLAWAY

5 p.m. – Fifth-place game

7:30 p.m. – Third-place game

AT LAGRANGE

5 p.m. – Seventh-place game

7:30 p.m. – Championship game