By Allen Hamrick
The Lady Panther softball team has been on a run this season going 2-2 so far. Once they lost the first game of the season, they have come back with a vengeance nearly setting fire to the diamond by scoring 24 runs against Hannan High School in a softball rout. Gracie Johnson was queen of the mound as she went to work slinging strikes and sending girls to checkout. Hannan had no chance against the vengeful Lady Panthers on their own turf. When it was over, the Lady Panthers were on top by the score of 24-0 giving the Lady Wildcats their walking papers and a giant goose egg. The heavy hitters blew into town from Gilmer, and they are typically a team to beat; this day was no exception. The Lady Panthers jumped at the chance to whip Gilmer, and in the first inning, they racked up four runs before taking a chill. Not to be out done, Gilmer came back, reopened the score card and racked up points of their own. The game progressed back and forth, and by the time the stride slowed down, it was the Lady Panthers getting a big win by the score of 10-9. With a little bit of jet lag, the Lady Panthers had just one more game before they closed the season on the week. They were on the road to Roane County, just couldn’t get the ball hitting their way and lost the game 0-5. However, the Lady Panthers are looking good for the rest of the season with their next game at South Harrison on Tuesday and home against Calhoun on Thursday. Go Lady Panthers!
The Panther baseball team went one for two this week and is getting back on track. Their opening season match up was against Gilmer County, and it was a barn burner. With Gilmer jumping into the lead, the Panthers had to play catch up ball the rest of the game. When the game was over, the Panthers lost by a final score Panthers 3, Gilmer 5. Next up was Roane County, and the Raiders usually put up a good fight. The Panthers, not liking the taste of losing in their mouth, decided to turn on the fan. The Panthers came out swinging, and when it was over, they beat the Raiders 10-5. It is a good start for the Panthers team but there is a lot of baseball left to play. Go Panthers!!
