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It was another heartbreaking loss to Starr’s Mill for the LaGrange baseball team on Thursday. After dropping their region opener against the Panthers on Tuesday 3-2, the Grangers were defeated 5-3 in front of a packed house at The Branch.

LaGrange is now 0-2 in region play and has likely seen its chances of a third straight region title dashed so early in the season.

It was an uphill battle for the Grangers, who fell behind 4-0 in the third inning. The Panthers proceeded to extend their lead to 5-0 the following inning.

LaGrange was not going to go down without a fight and pushed Starr’s Mill to the bitter end.

The Grangers finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning when Rob Skinner hit a single that drove in Robbie Parker.

LaGrange continued to chip away, scoring two runs in the fifth inning to pull within two runs of the Panthers’ lead. Tanner Langley hit a solo home run and an error from Starr’s Mill allowed the last two runs of the game to score.

The Grangers were able to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh with just one out, but could not find any late-inning magic. 

The LaGrange offense was able to generate hits with nine to Starr’s Mill’s seven, but just could not overcome the early deficit. The offense was there, but the dominoes did not fall the way of the home team.

Brandon Bennett led the LaGrange offense with two hits with Gryson Cockrell, Cooper Stephens, Grady Westmoreland, Mason Calhoun, Skinner, Parker and Langley all having a hit a piece. 

Robbie Parker threw a complete game for LaGrange, striking out 11 while allowing seven hits. 

LaGrange fell to 10-4 on the season. The Grangers will have another tough region matchup at The Branch on Friday with Whitewater coming to town.The game is scheduled to be played at 6 P.M., weather permitting.