LaGrange got strong pitching from freshmen Justin Yestrumsky and Jarred Adams in splitting a doubleheader with Bates at Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium on Saturday.

The Panthers (2-5) took the first game 7-3 as Yestrumsky (1-1) pitched seven strong innings. Adams (0-2) was the tough luck loser as the Bobcats (1-6) won the second game 1-0.

The Panthers had only four hits in the first game but took advantage of three errors by the Bobcats, leading to four unearned runs.

Bates got a run each in the second and third innings to lead 2-0. The score stood up until the Panthers' half of the sixth inning.

The Panthers loaded the bases with one out on singles by Adam Terrinoni and Keith Sims, sandwiched around Alex Murfin reaching after being hit by a pitch.

Cain Sauls tied the game with a single center, scoring Terrinoni and Murfin. Sims came home as Casey Bell ground out to put the Panthers up 3-2. Sauls scored on a passed ball with two out to make it 4-2.

Yestrumsky scattered six hits, allowing the two runs, but only one was earned. He walked two and struck out three. 

The Bobcats got a run back in the eighth off reliever Jonathan Fleckenstein to make it 4-3. The Panthers answered with three runs in their half of the eighth.

The Panthers needed only one hit in the inning. The Bobcats made three errors to keep the inning going for the Panthers. Jake Hipple's RBI double scored Bell, who had reached on an error to up the lead to 7-3.

Fleckenstein allowed only a two-out walk in the ninth to close out the win and earn his first save of the game.

In the second game, Adams allowed only three hits and the one run over seven innings. Bruno Aurnhammer pitched two scoreless innings; walking one and striking out two.

The Bobcats used four pitchers to hold the Panthers to two hits. Blake Schuck had a double in the third inning and Bell a single in the fourth.

The Panthers open USA South play next weekend at Huntingdon with a three-game series.