Kemp and Foster combine for no-hitter, LaGrange cruises to senior night win
Published 8:08 pm Monday, April 15, 2024
LaGrange got a big bounce-back win on the diamond on Monday, defeating Fayette County 11-1 on senior night. It was a terrific way to celebrate their three seniors — Malik Kemp, Tanner Langley, and Robbie Parker.
It was a combined no-hitter for the Grangers as Kemp and Jase Foster dominated during their six innings on the mound. Kemp started and was in complete control in his four innings of work. The senior struck out a whopping nine batters while not allowing a single hit. Foster pitched the final two innings, striking out one batter.
It was the Tigers who struck first on an error by the Grangers in the top of the first, but it was just water under the bridge as the Grangers came storming back in the bottom of the inning.
Rob Skinner sent a two-run homer off the scoreboard in the bottom of the first to make it 2-1.
The Grangers added to their lead in the second, scoring three runs to take a 5-1 lead. Kayden Sutton opened the scoring in the inning with a one-run single. Bryson Cockrell hit a sacrifice fly followed by a Parker one-run double to round out the scoring in the inning.
LaGrange continued to add runs to its lead with Cooper Stephens and Brandon Bennett hitting back-to-back one-run singles to make it 7-1 in the third inning.
The Grangers tacked on another run to their lead in the fourth thanks to a sacrifice fly from Kemp.
LaGrange’s offense showed no signs of slowing even as coach Donnie Branch inserted some of his younger guys into the lineup. The Grangers were able to end the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Foster got the action started in the sixth when he hit a one-run single. Nolan Haines stole home for the second run of the inning. Cooper Stephens proceeded to end the game with a one-run single.
Stephens and Bennett led the charge for the LaGrange offense, both generating two hits each.
Gryson Cockrell, Jackson Bozeman, Haines, Parker, Foster, Skinner, Langley, and Sutton all had a hit apiece for the Grangers. Bozeman also showed off his quick feet, swiping four bases in the game.
LaGrange is now 20-9 on the season and 7-4 in region play. The Grangers will wrap up the regular season on Tuesday at Troup for what will be an important region matchup for both squads.
