The LaGrange softball team was put to the test on Thursday. The Grangers traveled to Sandy Creek and had to overcome an early deficit to top the Patriots 9-6 in a thrilling 10-inning region matchup.

Sandy Creek opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first as the Grangers’ offense took a couple of innings to really get going. LaGrange halved the deficit in the top of the third courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Kimberly Reynolds. The Grangers would tie the game up in the following inning when Ta’Niya Taylor scored on an error.

The Patriots struck back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-2 lead.

LaGrange would have to rely on some clutch two-out hits in the sixth inning to tie the game up. Freshman Dakota McDaniel hit a double to drive in a run and get the rally started. Jasia Swanson hit a one-run single and then stole home later in the inning to tie the game.

The game would go not one, not two, but three extra innings as LaGrange finally broke the stalemate in the top of the 10th inning. A runner, Carolyne Garcia, was placed on second to start the inning and Hudson Wood hit a double to drive home Garcia. Shelby Siggers grounded out to double the LaGrange lead. McDaniel hit her second inside-the-park home run in as many games to make it 8-5. Addyson Arnett laid down a bunt to drive home the ninth and final run of the game for the Grangers.

The Patriots would not go down without a fight and scored a run in the bottom of the 10th to draw them closer, but never got the tying run on base.

McDaniel and Swanson led the LaGrange offense with two hits apiece while Tatiana Dudley, Wood and Siggers had one hit each. 

Zoe Thompson got the start in the circle and pitched a complete game in which she struck out 14 batters while allowing just eight hits. It was a Herculean effort as she threw 173 pitches in the game

LaGrange is now 6-1 on the season and 4-0 in region play without playing a single home game so far this season. The Grangers will return to action on Saturday against Callaway at LaGrange College for the Hope For a Day tournament.