McDaniel pitches complete game to lead LaGrange to road win over Whitewater

Published 10:32 pm Thursday, September 19, 2024

The LaGrange softball team made it five wins in a row when they traveled to Whitewater on Thursday and returned to Troup County with a hard-fought 5-1 region win.

The Grangers jumped out to an early lead when Shelby Siggers was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the top of the first inning. 

LaGrange was able to carry that momentum into the second inning, scoring three runs to extend their early lead. Hudson Wood hit a one-run double to get the action started. An error allowed Wood to score and make it 3-0.Tatum Nation would hit a one-run single to drive in the final run of the inning.

The game would stay at 4-0 until the seventh inning as the two teams traded a run apiece. Tatiana Dudly hit a one-run single to extend the LaGrange lead out to five runs.

Whitewater would attempt a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Wildcats scored a run and stranded runners on first and third base, but never truly threatened the LaGrange lead. 

Junior Ta’Niya Taylor has had a big week and it continued on Thursday as she led the Grangers offense by going 3-for-4. Dudley and Nation each had two hits while Abby McGill, Carolyne Garcia and Wood all had one apiece.

Freshman Dakota McDaniel threw a complete game for the Grangers, allowing just three hits and one earned run on five strikeouts. It was a superb performance from the freshman on the road in a tough environment. 

LaGrange is now 14-6 overall and 10-3 in region play. The Grangers will have a tough task next time out next Tuesday as they travel to take on Mary Persons, who won the first matchup this season between the two teams 6-4.