Panthers vs. Crush
April 19, 1997

W 11-4

The Panthers love to play close games! And today was no exception, as the Panthers and Crush played a close contest until the Panthers scored a flurry of runs to break the game open.

We sure hit the ball hard today, but we got "snakebit" a few times. Ellen Ann and Olivia started us off with good hits in the first inning. Then with one out, Lisa stepped up and really turned on the ball, a line shot grounder right to the third baseman. All the third baseman had to do was step on third. Rats! And just like that, the Panthers had their third out. In the bottom of the first inning, Crush scored one run. Crush led 1-0 after one inning.

In the second inning, Justina started us with a hit and moved to second on a hit by Marissa. Again, right at the second baseman! We were lucky that Justina's fast running got her to the base first... With two outs and runners on, Brittany smacked a hit down the third base line that drove in the game-tying run. Unfortunately, Melanie got tagged out on the play to end the inning. We held Crush scoreless in the bottom of the inning and the score was 1-1 after two innings. Wow -- these Panthers sure like to play close games!

The game was certainly up for grabs as the Panthers moved to the third inning. Ellen Ann, Olivia, and Maudie got consecutive hits. Then Lisa smacked another hard ball to drive in Ellen Ann. With two outs, Kelly stepped to the plate with "ducks on the pond" (that means runners in scoring position!). The bases were full...two outs...tight game...and SMASH! -- Kelly hits a bases-clearing triple!! Three runs score! Then Justina brings in Kelly with a nice hit -- the Panthers score 5 runs to take a 6-1 lead!

Of course, Crush was not going to give up. The Panthers had to play tough defense. In the bottom of the third, the Panther defense made some great plays! Marissa caught a pop fly while playing pitcher for the second out. With two runners on and two outs, Lisa snagged a grounder at first base and made the forceout. Excellent defense by the Panthers! The Panthers led 6-1 after 3 innings.

In the fourth inning, the Panthers had a chance to break the game open. Melanie, Brittany, and Rene had nice hits to load the bases, but then we had a couple strikeouts. No runs scored. Fortunately, we were able to shut down Crush in the bottom of the inning to keep our 6-1 lead.

In the fifth inning, all we needed was one run to ensure the victory. Maudie started us with a hit and then Lisa continued her great hitting game with an opposite-field single that brought Maudie to third base. All we needed was one run, and Kelly came up again. "Ducks on the pond, Kelly!" QUACK! QUACK! Kelly gets a nice hit to right field to plate the winning run. Once again, Kelly takes the pressure off and the rest of our girls get some nice hits. We score 5 and lead 11-1. In the bottom of the inning, Crush was finally able to get some solid hits. Maudie made a great play at second base to get an out (the runner ran out of the baseline to avoid the swarming Maudie!) Kristen played a solid inning as pitcher in her first time at pitcher this year! Crush scored 3 to close the gap, but the Panthers win 11-4 !! Super game!

Although there were some good performances by various Panthers today (Lisa in particular got her hitting back on track by making real good contact today), there was no doubt about player of the game honors. Kelly broke the game open with her bases-clearing triple in the third inning and drove in the game-winner in the fifth inning. Kelly definitely deserved the Panther of the Day honors today!

-- Velvet