Harris County limited to three hits in loss to LaGrange

LaGrange defeated Harris County 4-0 Wednesday behind a complete game shutout by pitcher Ben Anderson.

The teams are essentially tied for third place in Region 1-5A. Harris County is 10-7, while LaGrange is 9-6.

The two teams play again Thursday at LaGrange. Harris County can clinch a playoff spot with a win.

“We’re a good team. We’re just scuffling right now,” Harris County coach Steve Westmoreland said. “We just have to be mature enough to take care of business.”

LaGrange took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jake Howard reached on a 12-pitch walk with one out. With two outs, Jake Farrar was hit by a pitch. Larkin Easterwood then hit a double, scoring Howard and Farrar.

In the third inning, Anderson reached on a single. Farrar drove in Anderson with a double to right field. Easterwood knocked in Farrar but was tagged out at second attempting to stretch a single into a double. The two runs pushed the lead to 4-0.

All four runs were scored off Jerad Munoz.

Ross Mckibben relieved Munoz to start the top of the fourth inning and pitched 3 1/3 innings. After three shutout innings, he ran into trouble in the seventh. Jake Howard hit a double. Anderson and Farrar walked to load the bases.

Carson Powell took Mckibben’s place and threw two pitches to Easterwood, who lined out to center field for an apparent sacrifice fly. Howard scored from third, but it was determined he left early and was called out.

Austin Anderson led off the bottom of the seventh with a double.

Anderson was able to retire three straight batters ending any threat.

It was the straight shutout for the Grangers, who blanked Hardaway 1-0 on Tuesday.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 9:08 PM with the headline "Harris County limited to three hits in loss to LaGrange."