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The LaGrange baseball team out on a show in the first round of the GHSA 3A playoffs on Friday, sweeping a doubleheader against Gilmer County at The Branch in Granger Park. 

 

GAME ONE:

LaGrange – 12

Gilmer – 0

 

The Grangers took an early lead in game one and never looked back. LaGrange scored two runs in the bottom of the first courtesy of a two-run double by senior Gryson Cockrell. 

LaGrange added a third run to its lead in the second inning on an RBI groundout from Grady Westmoreland. 

LaGrange would completely blow the game open with nine runs in the third inning, which also proved to be the final runs of the game. Cooper Stephens walked with the bases loaded to send the initial run of the inning home. Kayden Sutton singled to drive home the following two runs. Westmorland was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Rob Skinner hit an RBI single to make it 8-0 LaGrange. Jackson Bozeman scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to nine runs. Mason Calhoun singled to drive home the 10th run. A Brandon Bennett two-run double would round out the scoring in the game.

The contest would officially end by mercy rule after 4.5 innings played. 

Sinjon Lash pitched the first four innings for the Grangers and dominated, allowing just one hit on seven strikeouts. Caleb Allen pitched the final inning.

Skinner, Cockrell, Sutton, Bozeman, Bennett and Calhoun all had a hit each for LaGrange. 

 

GAME TWO:

LaGrange – 11

Gilmer – 1

 

A short break between game one and two did little to cool off the scorching hot bats of the Grangers. LaGrange put seven runs past Gilmer in the top of the first to take a commanding early lead. Skinner doubled to drive home the first run of the game. Calhoun followed with a double later in the inning that drove home a run to double the LaGrange lead. Lash singled to drive home the following two runs. Stephens hit a one-run double to give the Grangers a 5-0 lead. Sutton had an RBI ground out, and Westmorland hit a one-run double to round out the scoring in the top of the inning. 

LaGrange would go on to blow the game wide open with four runs in the third inning. Bozeman singled to drive in the first run of the inning. Skinner hit a two-run double later in the inning to give the Grangers a 10-0 advantage. Bennett singled to send the fourth run of the inning home. 

The Bobcats finally got their first run of the series, a consolation run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the LaGrange lead to 10 runs.

It was not enough to stave off elimination as the game ended by mercy rule after five innings. 

Skinner led the charge on offense for LaGrange in game two, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Lash and Bennett also had two hits each. Calhoun, Westmoreland, Cockrell, Stephens, Sutton and Bozeman had a hit apiece. 

Sutton started on the mound and pitched a strong four innings, striking out four while allowing just three hits and one earned run. Caden Wood pitched the final inning for the Grangers. 

 

WHAT’S NEXT:

LaGrange will likely travel to Pickens for the second round of the state playoffs starting next Thursday, which would be a battle of top 10 teams in 3A. If Dougherty upsets Pickens, the Grangers will be at home for a doubleheader on Thursday with a potential game three on Friday.