Panthers vs. Rebels
April 20, 1997

L 9-7

The Panthers had another exciting game today! After lots of rain the day before, today started off muddy. Lots of parents came out early to get the fields ready, and we finally started playing an hour later than planned.

On a slow, muddy field, the Panthers took the field as the home team. The Rebels started with some nice hits. Lisa made an excellent play at third base, getting a forceout for the first out of the game! Their next batter hit a grounder to Marissa, who spun and fired the ball to Kelly at first base for the out. Another Rebel struck out, so they led 3-0 going into the bottom of the first.

Olivia started us with a nice single. Then with nobody out, Ellen Ann smashed a hit right at the second baseman -- forceout of Olivia. Rats! Marissa got a solid hit and then we had a strikeout. So with two outs, Rene stepped to the plate with runners on first and second. Rene breaks out of a small slump by cracking a hit and loading the bases. That brings Lisa to the plate. What did Lisa do? She only smashed a hit to right field and drove in our first two runs! We had another strikeout and ended the first inning down 3-2.

In the second inning, the Rebels really smacked the ball around. They scored 5 and then it was our turn. Brittany started us with a hit (wow, Brittany sure has her hitting stroke down well now!). Justina hit a pop fly for the first out and, in an exciting play, Brittany beat the throw back to first to avoid the double play!! Maudie kept the inning going with a nice hit, and so did Olivia, but we failed to score anybody. So that meant the score was 8-2 after two innings.

The Panthers were down by 6 runs. Was it time to go home? No! It was time for some Panther-ball! The Panthers hit the field as the Rebels stepped to the plate. Kristen made a nice play on a hard hit grounder to prevent extra bases. Then the defensive play of the day occurred when Marissa caught a line drive at first base and stepped on the bag for the unassisted double play!! Super play Marissa! We held the Rebels scoreless -- now it was time for some Panther runs!

In the bottom of the third, we had a chance to put up some runs. Marissa started us with a hit and Rene smacked a hit too. Lisa stepped up and cracked another hit to drive in Marissa! Melanie, Brittany, and Justina followed with hits to drive in 2 more runs. Then with the bases loaded, Maudie hit a ball to the pitcher who made a great play to beat Melanie streaking to the plate. Rats! The Panthers only score 3 runs (and it was a real chance to score 5!). That meant it was 8-5 after 3 innings.

In the fourth inning, the Rebels had a couple strikeouts and then got some hits. With two outs, Rene fielded a grounder at second base. She tried to make the tag play (very close but she just missed!). Then she made a heads-up play and tried to get it back to Kelly at pitcher. It got by Kelly so all the Rebel baserunners were on the move. Kelly ran the ball down near home plate. Here comes a runner trying to score... Kelly sees it all and makes a super tag play at home to get the third out!! Great thinking Kelly! The Rebels only score one run and the score is 9-5 going into the bottom of the fourth inning.

The umpire tells everyone this is the last inning. OK, time for a rally! We start off with a strikeout and a groundout (sadness!!). That meant we were four runs down with two outs. Time to go home? No!! Marissa smashes another hit (her third hit of the day!). Kelly bounces back with a smash triple to right field. Then Rene whacks a triple down the third base line (her third hit of the day!). Two runs were in and we still needed a couple more. Unfortunately, we had one more strikeout and fell two runs short. Rebels win 9-7 in a down-to-the-wire contest!

Coach Rodney had a tough time choosing the player of the game today. There was lots of good hitting and good defense. Rene had a super day at the plate! So Coach Rodney decided two girls should get the game ball. Marissa deserved to be Panther of the Day because of her 3 strong hits and her great defense (especially the unassisted double play)! And Lisa deserved to be the Panther of the Day because of her two clutch hits driving in three runs, her excellent defense at third base, and her coming out 3 hours before the game to help get the fields ready! Way to go girls!!

After not seeing a softball game before this year (remember that I'm a Beanie Baby!), I'm really enjoying the game of softball. I didn't even have to ask Coach Rodney to help me remember what happened today... that's a good thing because he's asleep on the sofa!

-- Velvet