LAGRANGE, Ga. –The weight of an offseason of adversity was lifted the moment the ball hit the glove of Tamia James (Milledgeville, Ga.) to record the final out in game two of a schedule-opening series with LaGrange College on Saturday. After the Scotties took one on the chin in game one, 11-3, Agnes settled back in to even the series with a steady 6-4 triumph over the Panthers.

The Scotties received big moments from their merry band of youngsters, as Regan Hutto (Douglasville, Ga.) earned collegiate victory number one in a complete game of work while Anyla Fulton (Ellenwood, Ga.) provided a spark atop the lineup and on the base paths in game two.

Game 1

The Panthers got the scoring started for the day with a two-out round-tripper from starting pitcher Abbey Gardner in the bottom of the first.

Agnes Scott evened the score in the top of the fourth on a defensive miscue committed by the Panthers only to see LaGrange tack on four runs in the bottom half of the inning. A home run was once again the catalyst for the LaGrange offense with Maggie White putting three on the board with one swing of a bat.

The Scotties battled back within striking distance again with RBI knocks from junior leaders KayLeigh Fitzgerald (Dalton, Ga.) and Michaela Dailey (Smiths Station, Ala.) to make it a 5-3 game through four and a half.

The bottom fell out on the rally in the final half of the fifth as LaGrange effectively ended the game with six runs while batting around the order.

Gardner improved to 2-0 on the young season while working a full game. ASC senior Caitlin Weaver (Jacksonville, Fla.) struck out two Panthers, but was chased out by the two home runs by the fourth.

Game 2

Fulton's speed was a major factor for the Scotties in the series finale. The first-year outfielder made an impact from the start with a single and two steals to put a runner in scoring position before a second out was even recorded. The Panthers walked Fitzgerald and Gigi Elizondo (Deer Park, Texas) to load the bases and sophomore Kat Fernandez (Humble, Texas) made them pay with a single into the gap in left to easily plate two. Elizondo was able to score from first on the play thanks to a fielding error at home plate, giving Agnes Scott a 3-0 lead.

The Panthers were not alarmed though, rallying back with one run in each of the second, third and fourth innings to tie the score. Two of the three runs came off the bat of Kristina Calixto, who doubled in back-to-back trips to the plate.

Agnes Scott was not about to let another game unravel on them, stopping LaGrange's rally dead in its tracks in the top of the fifth. A Panther error opened the door for the big inning and the Scotties took full advantage. Elizondo put the Scotties back on top with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to plate Kat Boyer (Lawrenceville, Ga.) for a 4-3 lead. Two more scored on the very next play as a fielding error rounded Fulton and Trinity Wilkinson (Kennesaw, Ga.) toward home plate.

LaGrange was able to put a fourth run on the scoreboard in the sixth, but Hutto would shut things down in the seventh to secure the win. The first-year pitcher stuck out five in their first collegiate circle experience, while surrendering four earned runs.

LaGrange's Hannah Godfrey was charged with the loss, her second of the year.

Next Series

The Scotties have a whole week off before hosting conference favorite Maryville College next Saturday starting at 1 p.m.