Panthers Fall to Emory in Doubleheader

March 25, 2007

The softball team fell to #23 Emory 2-1 and 2-0 in doubleheader action at Panther Field on Sunday afternoon.  The Panthers dropped to 16-10 on the season and have lost four straight.  The Eagles improve their record to 18-6. 

Kellee Scandrett (pictured) led the Panthers on the afternoon, hitting 3-for-6 in the doubleheader while Holly Hazelwood went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases. 

The first game was held to a scoreless tie until the seventh when Emory scored two runs to get on the board first.  The Panthers almost got on the board in the fourth inning as Scandrett send a shot to deep centerfield only to have it robbed by Emory's centerfielder, who made an unbelievable acrobatic catch against the wall to end the inning.

LaGrange had an opportunity to possibly tie the game in the bottom of the seventh as Valeree Williams hit a double in left centerfield to start a one-out rally.  Scandrett would single to centerfield to advance pinch runner Emily Foster to third.  Hazelwood would pinch run for Scandrett and immediately steal second to put both runners in scoring position.

Kristi Underwood would bring in Foster off a fielder's choice in which Foster beat the throw to give the Panthers a much needed run to make the score 2-1.  But the Panthers couldn't pull it out as the next two batters retired to end the game.

In the twin bill, it would be a pitcher's duel as neither team would allow a run and only two hits allowed until the fourth inning when Emory scored off a two-run homerun that was just out of the reach of leftfielder Chloe Turnipseed (pictured) to make it 2-0.

The Panthers would threaten in the sixth as Hazelwood would break the no-hitter with a single up the middle and would eventually steal second.  Kim Woodard would hit a single into leftfield, but that would be as far as they would advance as Emory would respond with a double play to end the inning. 

Things got interesting in the seventh as LaGrange threatened once again as Scandrett would lead-off with a single.  Dicie Holland would follow with another single to put two runners on base. 

Turnipseed walked to make the bases loaded with two outs.  Hazelwood would hit into a fielder's choice as pinch runner Leah Flowers was beat out at third to end the game.

The Panthers will play at home again on Thursday, March 29 as they take on Wesleyan in a doubleheader.  The team will celebrate "Senior Night" for five seniors: Hayley Hanson, Dawn Smith, Holland, Scandrett and Woodard.  

The doubleheader is set to start at 5 p.m.