By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

Thanks to a nine-run rally, a defensive gem and a fine relief pitching performance by a sophomore, the La-Grange Grangers made sure they got a win in the tournament they were hosting.

LaGrange beat Niceville (Fla.)13-11 on Saturday in the seventh-place game of the LaGrange-Toyota Invitational to finish with a 1-3 record.

While LaGrange finished happy, Columbus put the finishing touches on a dominant tournament performance with a 10-3 victory over Providence (Fla.).

Columbus went 4-0 and outscored its four opponents 45-19.

Providence closed with a 3-1 record to finish second,while East Paulding slipped past Cartersville 7-6 to finish third.

In the fifth-place game that finished late Saturday night, Eagle’s View (Fla.) outlasted Hillcrest (Ala.)

LaGrange made sure it wouldn’t be the tournament’s lone winless team with its win over Niceville (Fla.).

The Grangers scored nine runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a two-run lead against Niceville.

In the seventh, sophomore E Smith made sure the comeback would be completed with a solid effort, and first baseman Chad Grant made a remarkable diving catch to help preserve the win.

On Sunday morning, all of the tournament teams got together at LaGrange High for an awards breakfast, with Auburn head coach John Pawlowski serving as the guest speaker.

LaGrange head coach Donnie Branch said he got nothing but positive feedback from the visiting teams.

“I think it was one of our better tournaments,” Branch said. “It went really well.”

Two Grangers made the all-tournament team.

Noah Hull hit .333, and he threw a seven-inning complete game in a loss to Providence.

“His working seven innings against a team that played in the finals of this tournament was huge,” Branch said.

Right field Joseph Mansour, who hit .400 with two home runs, also made the all-tournament team.

Mansour left the Niceville game with a hand injury, but he shouldn’t miss much time, Branch said.

Branch also said center fielder Jon McRae had a big tournament, hitting .300 while playing terrific defense.

Designated hitter Chris Roman, Branch said, “had a bunch of big hits,” including a home run.

Branch said Cartez Cutright did a nice job of getting on base, including the Niceville game when he was on base twice in the decisive sixth inning.

The coach also said he appreciate the effort of catcher Drew Hagler, who caught 28 innings in two days.