Panthers set to open 2008 season
March 1, 2008

LaGrange College opens the 2008 season Sunday at home with a doubleheader against Millsaps College.

The defending GSAC Conference champions are coming off of an incredible 26-20 season, capped off by a berth to the NCAA National Tournament.  The Panthers have a very competitive schedule similar to last season, when over a third of their games came against nationally-ranked opponents or opponents who played in the NCAA Division III national tournament.  Some of the teams have changed from last season but the level of competition will be just as intense.

The Panthers are returning their two top pitchers from last season.  Senior Megan Henry and Junior Amanda Daniel both earned All-GSAC honors last season.  The duo combined to win24 of the Panthers' 26 games last season.   Daniel was 15-10 last season with a 1.74 ERA.  She led the GSAC in wins and strikeouts and second in ERA.  Daniel set a single season school record with 131 strikeouts and five shutouts.  Henry was 9-8 with an impressive 2.01 ERA, she recorded three shutouts and seven complete games, as well.  In the field, Henry is quick off the mound and aggressive.  She has committed only four errors in her career and did not commit an error last season. 

Junior Kristi Underwood returns as the starting third baseman.  Underwood showed poise and ability in her first full season at the position. She committed only six errors in 108 chances.  At the plate, Underwood led the team with 11 doubles and was second on the team with 25 RBIs.  She posted a solid .319 batting average and started in 44 of their 46 games last season.  The Panthers are thrilled to have sophomore Jennifer Knight in the line-up this season.  As a freshman, Knight set a new school-record with seven home runs and led the team with 31 RBIs.  Sophomore Haleigh Kellar was a steady force at first last year, with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, batting a solid .257, and posting a solid .333 on base percentage.  

The quartet of Leah Flowers, Emily Foster, Holly Hazelwood, and Kayla Yeargin round out the Panthers' talented sophomore class.  As freshmen, the group played in over sixty percent of the Panthers' games last season.  Flowers and Hazelwood will head up the outfield, as Foster and Yeargin will be behind the plate.  Flowers was named to the GSAC All-Freshman team last season.  She batted .238 and had nine RBIs in 32 games.  Hazelwood played in 37 games, had 26 starts last season, and recorded a .976 fielding percentage.  Foster played in 27 games last season and had a .286 on-base percentage.  Yeargin played in 32 games, started in 24, had a .297 batting average, and a .366 on-base percentage.   

The Panthers have added six new faces to their line up; each making a positive impact on the team.  First-year players Allison Gordon and Erica Robinson add speed and versatility to the line-up.  Gordon and Robinson not only add depth to the lineup, but also a tenacious attitude and leadership. 

Four freshmen round out this first year class; Katie Hein, Danielle LaDuron, Whitley James, and Kristen Woodard.  The Panthers are looking for all four freshmen to make contributions to the team this year.  Hein and Woodard provide depth to Panther's pitching rotation and their defensive ability and offensive expertise will strengthen the lineup. Freshmen Danielle LaDuron and Whitley James provide depth in the infield and outfield.  LaDuron has an excellent glove, quick reactions, and a solid bat.  She will push for some playing time at first and third base.  Whitley, a switch-hitter, has great speed and will play in the outfield this season.

With the veterans from last year and the six new additions the Panthers are one of the favorites in the GSAC and are looking for a return trip to the NCAA National Tournament.