Baseball | 4/5/2009 6:23:13 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - LaGrange took the early lead and while the Monarchs tied the game at seven, the Panthers went on to take the 15-8 win.

LaGrange jumped out to a five run lead in the top of the first on four hits capped off by a bases loaded triple. Dustin Proctor led off the second inning with a single and moved to third on Brian Halpin's single. Proctor scored on a groundout, but the Panthers came back with a run in the third and fourth innings to lead 7-1.

Methodist rallied in the fourth sparked by a home run from Brad Davis. Shawn Lovette hit a two-RBI single and the Monarchs scored  five runs in the fourth to move within one. Proctor tied the game with a home run in the fifth. The Panthers came back with a two-run home run in the sixth to regain the lead. Proctor doubled down the left field line to score Davis and move within one run.

In the top of the eighth LaGrange went up 11-8 with two runs on four hits. The Monarchs tried to rally in the bottom of the inning, but left two runners stranded. The Panthers added four runs capped off by a three-run home run in the top of the ninth to finish with the 15-8 win.

Proctor finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and Halpin hit  3-for-5.

Methodist pitcher Michael Mahaffey started on the mound and went 3.1 innings with four strikeouts. Ryan Fasano entered in relief and pitched 2.2 innings to take the loss. Matt Partin, Tre' Britt, and Alex Sholar all pitched for the Monarchs.

Methodist will travel to Ferrum for a doubleheader on Wednesday.

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