Seniors Doug Scherer and James Hall led LaGrange to a 4-2 USA South win over Methodist in Williamson Stadium at Cleaveland Field on Friday. The game marked the Panthers' debut in the new conference and the 2013 home opener.

Scherer (1-0) pitched seven strong innings to get the win for the Panthers (1-1, 1-0 USA South). He scattered six hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven.

Hall led the Panthers' seven-hit attack with three hits, including a double. He drove in three of the Panthers' four runs.

The Panthers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning off Methodist (2-1, 0-1 USA South) starter Josh Ayers (0-1). Josh Shiver and Brandon Key opened the inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners.

Hall followed with a double down the left field line, scoring Shiver. Key also came around to score when the ball was bobbled in the outfield, the first of five Monarch errors in the game.

In the third inning, the Panthers doubled their lead with two more runs. With one out, Cody Muren doubled down the third base line, followed by a walk to Shiver.

With the runners moving on the pitch, Key grounded out to short to put runners on second and third. Hall followed with a sharp single to left to drive in Muren and Shiver to make it 4-0.

Scherer allowed only three hits through the first six innings. The Monarchs strung together three hits in the seventh to push across two runs to cut the Panthers' lead in half, 4-2.

Tyler Brooks came on in the eighth inning and shut the door on the Monarchs. He retired the side in the eighth inning, then pitched around a lead-off error in the ninth. Brooks struck out the final two batters to end the game and earn his first save.

The two teams continue their weekend series Saturday at 2 p.m.