By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

COLUMBUS – A memorable season came to a close for the LaGrange Lady Grangers with a 2-1 loss to Northside in the Class AAAA state finals in Columbus.

LaGrange, after losing to Heritage-Catoosa on Thursday, needed a win over Northside to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.

LaGrange had a 1-0 lead through five innings, but Northside rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead, and it held on for a 2-1 win.

Madison Dennis helped LaGrange get off to a quick start with a solo home run in the top of the first inning.

It remained a 1-0 game until Northside took the lead in the sixth inning.

Raelee Weaver tied the game with a leadoff home run.

With two outs, Karlee Fuller scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball after reaching on a one-out double.

LaGrange put the tying run on base in the top of the seventh on a Kaylee Bryant walk, but pitcher Ireland Cavanaugh got a strikeout to end it.

LaGrange had a tough draw in Columbus.

On Thursday, LaGrange’s opponent was Heritage-Catoosa, which won the Class AAAA state championship.

LaGrange faced another tough task on Friday against Northside, which won the state title in 2017 and finished second to Heritage last year.

LaGrange (24-12), which finished second in Region 5-AAAA to Central-Carroll to qualify for state, beat Denmark and Shaw to reach the state finals for the first time since 2004.

LaGrange should be in position to make a state run again next season with every player returning.