Cutline for the front page lead in pic- Gracie Johnson brings the heat. Allen Hamrick photo.
By Allen Hamrick
The Lady Panthers were setting fire to the diamond taking down the Lady Eagles of Braxton in what resembled a state championship game. The game was a nail biter for the fans, and if you had a pace maker, it was going to work overtime. The game got underway as Gracie Johnson took to the mound for the Lady Panthers to bring the heat to the Lady Eagles. Pitching under the shadow of a head cold, she went to work, and after giving up some early gifts to the Lady Eagles, Gracie settled into a groove.
The Lady Panthers were first on the boards, but a couple of mistakes got them playing in catch up mode as they trailed 2-10 after two innings. The girls were in a pickle early. The Lady Panthers, undaunted by the setback, brought out the whipping bats and proceeded to start scattering hits over the field. Madison Morton got busy with the big girl bat and was top hitter with five hits in the game to lead the Lady Panthers. She also proved to be one of the best shortstops the Lady Panthers have ever fielded. With a glove like a suction cup, she faced nine shots at her and fielded each one.
As the Lady Panther bats heated up and their defense and pitching went to next level, the game began to look like the Lady Panthers would make the Lady Eagles pay for the 10 runs they got. They quickly tattooed six more runs on the board the next couple of innings and closed the gap to 8-10. The Lady Eagles also started tagging the ball late in the game and stayed just ahead of the Lady Panthers as the Lady Eagles added three more runs to their score. The score stood at 12-15 as fans were on the edge of their seats. At the bottom of the 7th the Lady Panthers had a last chance to come out of this game bandage free. The Lady Panthers proved they should never be given up on as they rolled the dice in the inning and the Lady Eagles couldn’t hold them back.
The Lady Panthers scored four runs in the inning to squeeze past the Lady Eagles in the final inning of the game to win by the score of 16-15. It was a great win for the Lady Panthers. This is a new and young team you will not want to miss watching. They are full of adrenalin, and they make the game of softball exciting to watch. Overall, the Lady Panthers smacked 27 hits down the Lady Eagles’ pipes and stole the bases 11 times. Rylee Burkhamer led the Lady Panthers in stolen bases with three. All the girls hit the ball well in the game, and they played like a team possessed with grit.
The Lady Panthers seem to get better and better as the season rolls on. With plenty of season left to play, the Lady Panthers are well on their way to one of their best seasons yet; they are now 3-1. They play a couple of double headers this week, and both are away games. South Harrison is on April 4th and Richwood on April 6th. They will be back at home on April 11th to take on Doddridge County. Get out and catch a game.