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In closely contested region games in any sport, there is room for a hero. In Wednesday’s matchup between LaGrange and Spalding, it was Hudson Wood that played the hero to lift the Grangers to an 8-0 win.

Each team had a chance or two to break the deadlock early, but neither team truly threatened to blow the game open as offense was very limited.

The game was stuck in a stalemate until Wood delivered a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to break the deadlock.

“We just tried to stay back in the box and stay focused,” Wood said. “Once we got our second and third time in the order we started to get a feel for their pitcher.”

The Grangers added to their lead with three more runs in the fifth. Tatum Nation hit a single to drive in the first and freshman Dakota McDaniel hit her first varsity home run.

The avalanche continued into the sixth inning as Carolyne Garcia got in on the fun with her third home run in the last two games. 

“I don’t know what is going on, I think it’s the new battling gloves that I got,” Garcia said, flashing a smile.

LaGrange triggered the mercy rule with an eighth and final run in the sixth inning.

McDaniel did anything but play second fiddle to Wood. Her complete game in the circle showed poise well beyond her years as she struck out 12 batters.

“They were just swinging at a lot of curves and rises, so I just threw them a lot, kind of off the zone,” McDaniel said. “They couldn’t really hit it. They were swinging at it all game so I stuck with it.”

The weather was not ideal for softball with rain coming down from the opening inning to the final one.

“It’s pretty difficult to deal with,” McDaniel said. “You gotta get a new ball every single pitch, and then just kind of keep it shielded by your glove.”

The game was not all sunshine and rainbows for the Grangers. In fact, it served as a bittersweet moment as they said goodbye to senior star Kimberley “KK” Reynolds. The starter played in her final game for the Grangers as she has surgery scheduled for Thursday on a shoulder injury she suffered in the opening game of the season. Reynolds has been a key contributor to the Grangers throughout her career and will further her softball journey at Murray State next fall.

“This team means a lot to me,” Reynolds said. “They’re all my best friends, they are more than my teammates. It’s been cool, like watching us all grow as athletes and people over the years.”

“I was a little upset this morning, I’m not gonna lie,” Reynolds said. “It was definitely sad before the game, holding back some tears, but after this, honestly, it’s more of a celebration than being upset, because at least I got to be here while I could for my girls.”

Reynolds finished a smooth 2-for-3 with two runs scored to punctuate her high school career.

While she has not been playing third base this season due to the injury, she has been able to be in the lineup as a hitter. The value she added to the team is not lost on those who have been playing with her for far longer than just at LaGrange High.

“We’ve played with her for 10 years now,” Wood said, reminiscing.

“It’s hard. I started tearing up when I finally realized that this is the last game that I will ever set foot on the field with KK again, we’ll never put on the same jersey and play in a game,” added an emotional Garcia. 

LaGrange improved to 12-6 overall and 8-3 in region play. The Grangers will return to action on Saturday at the Trojan Slam in Carrollton against Cedartown.