Panthers fall to Methodist at NCAA Regional
May 10, 2007

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – LaGrange College came up on the short end of a well played softball game, losing 1-0 to No. 23 Methodist University in the first game of the NCAA Regional on Thursday.  It was the Panthers' first ever NCAA tournament game. The Panthers dropped to 26-19 while the host Monarchs improved to 33-8.

Methodist's Lesley Hewitt (13-2) and LaGrange's Amanda Daniel (15-9) hooked up in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel. Hewitt allowed five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four. Daniel allowed six hits, walked one and struck out one. The only run of the game came on a home run by Kristen Kennedy off Daniel in the sixth inning.

The Panthers threatened in the first two innings, but could not get on the scoreboard.  Kim Woodard got the first Panther hit in a NCAA tournament, a one-out single in the first inning.  Dicie Holland reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on an illegal pitch by Monarch pitcher Lesley Hewitt.  Hewitt got the final two outs to end the inning. 

In the top of the second inning, the Panthers put runners at second and third before a strikeout by Hewitt ended the threat.  Kristi Underwood was hit by a pitch to start the inning.  Underwood moved up to second on Kellee Scandrett's sacrifice bunt. She moved over to third on Chloe Turnipseed's two-out infield hit. Hewitt struck out Holly Hazelwood to end the inning.

Methodist threatened in its half of the second. The Monarchs had runners on first and third with two outs. Daniel got out of the inning by getting Jennifer Brophy to foul out to Underwood at third.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Daniel struck out Megan Hutson to end the inning. It was the 126th strikeout of the season for Daniel, giving her the single-season record.

Kennedy broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning. The senior leftfielder sent a shot to straight away centerfield for her first home run this season to put the Monarchs up 1-0.

In the top of the seventh, the Panthers staged a final threat. Scandrett singled to left field with one out.  Pinch-hitter Amanda Jones followed with a double to put runners at second and third base.

Pinch-runner Kelly Lewis was thrown out at home trying to score on Turnipseed's bunt for the second out of the inning. Hewitt got pinch-hitter to pop out to seal the win for the Monarchs.

The Panthers fall into the loser's bracket and play Friday at 10 a.m. against Salisbury.  The Monarchs play at 2 p.m. against Emory.