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LaGrange senior Tanner Langley played the hero on opening night for the Grangers baseball team, powering them to a 5-1 win over Northside on Thursday. 

With the game tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning, the Georgia Southern commit stepped up and delivered a monster 3-run homer to break the deadlock. It was truly a momentum swinger as the Patriots had outhit the Grangers 8-1 at that point in the game.

Up to that point, offense was at a premium for both teams. LaGrange was able to strike first when Gryson Cockrell grounded out to drive in Langley in the bottom of the first.

The Patriots eventually tied the game with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Wood was eventually able to work his way out of a bases-loaded jam to make sure Northside did not take the lead.

LaGrange added an additional run to its lead in the bottom of the sixth when Brandon Bennett hit a one-run single.

Junior Caden Wood got the start on the mound for the Grangers and was superb in his five innings of work, striking out five and only allowing one run. Kayden Sutton came in to relieve Wood to start the sixth and struck out one while allowing no hits. Mason Calhoun pitched the seventh and final inning, closing the door on any chance of a Northside rally.

Langley, Cockrell, Barnett and Robbie Parker all had a hit apiece for the Grangers.

LaGrange starts the season 1-0 and will be looking for a couple more wins on Saturday when they host Morgan County and Northgate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the team’s only state title.