The 2nd game was played immediately after the 1st and the Panthers came out like kittens against the Tri State Twisters but would not go down without a fight. After spotting the Twisters a 7-3 lead on various walks, errors, passed balls, etc., the Cats put on their game faces in the bottom of the 7th. Scoring 4 runs in an inning is not an easy feat, and scoring 4 in the last is a sign that this team can hit.� Lindsay did what a leadoff batter is suppose to do - reaching base 3 times in the game. Brianna did what a 3rd place hitter does - getting 2 hits and an rbi. But the big blow was a hard hit ball up the middle by Brittany that was too hot to handle by the center fielder and rolled to the fence and cleared the bases. A pitching change by the Twisters and a wild pitch later and the Cats had produced a 7-7 comeback that had everyone fired up. After 2 games the Cats were 'undefeated'.
The 3rd game saw the Panthers poised to take the bracket with a win. Facing a Heartbreakers team that had not been scored upon in their 2 wins, the Panthers once again dug themselves a hole that was just to deep to dig out of.� While the Heartbreaks could only muster 4 hits - they were handed 5 walks, 5 errors, and numerous balls to the backstop. But like the previous game, the Panthers did not give up. The bats were quite lively in this game as Jelly and Katie S. contributed 2 hits apiece. Also jumping on the hit parade were Hil and Megan U. Trailing 10-3 going into the final inning, the Panthers scored 4 times to make the final score a respectable 10-7. As mentioned earlier, the Heartbreakers hadn't given up a run in 14 innings, but the Cats scored a touchdown and an extra point against them - a true testament that our hitting is coming around. If the mistakes are kept to a minimum, the Cats will be in most games.
After a good night's rest and a good meal, it was an early rise and fall for the Panthers. Sunday's game saw the 5th seeded Cats take on a fired up Gambrills Angels team. The Angels pounded out 9 hits in a 9-1 route. Once again, pitching, hitting and defense were left in the parking lot. Hopefully, this was the game that will awaken the Panthers from softball slumber and put together a few wins. Sometime in your life we all need somebody to lean on - so let's start leaning on each other.
Outside of softball the weekend did accomplish what the manager had intended. The girls got to know each other a bit better and the parents did the same. The stay at the Riverside Hotel will be one that will go down in Panther history. Bring on the rolls !!!
Next up for the Lady Panthers will be the ASA "B" States on June 26th and 27th in Reistertown, MD. Go Cats!!!
