Baseball | 2/11/2012 5:12:00 PM

LaGRANGE, Ga. - Methodist led 6-2 after four innings and held on late to earn the 6-5 win over LaGrange College.

The Panthers (0-1) took the early lead after scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the first in a two-out rally. The Monarchs (4-0) responded in the top of the second sparked by a lead-off single from Tyler Younger. Chris Power laid down the sacrifice to advance Younger and Brown reached first on an error that moved Younger to third. Cody Molosky picked up an RBI with a single through the left side to score Younger. David Lutz loaded the bases with a walk and Matt Quick drew a second walk to score Brown. Steven Kirby kept the rally going with a single to score Molosky and Brandon Thigpen grounded out, but scored Lutz to give Methodist the 4-1 lead.

LaGrange added a run in the third after a lead-off walk, but the Monarchs added two insurance runs in the fourth. Quick singled up the middle and Kirby drew the walk. Thigpen advanced both runners and Trey Such had a two-RBI single to center field to score both runners.

The Panthers came back with a run in the fifth before making a run for it in the seventh. The Monarchs were plagued with three defensive errors in the inning as LaGrange moved within one at 6-5, but Trey Such recorded the much needed third out on a throw down to third to catch Brandon Espinosa stealing. After Methodist went scoreless in the top of the ninth, the Panthers had one final shot to come from behind. Doug Scherer led off with a double down the left field line and Jon Brock drew the walk before Methodist's Josh Ayers entered in relief and retired the next three batters for the save.

The Monarchs finished with five hits from Quick, Kirby, Such, Younger and Molosky. Perry earned his second win of the season throwing six innings with nine strikeouts. Michael Judge, Rett Lee and Ayers finished in relief.

Both teams will be back at Cleaveland Field in LaGrange for the second game of the series on Sunday at 2 p.m.

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