Panther softball bounces back from first loss
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
It didn't take long for the Little Miami softball team to bounce back from its first loss of the season.
After winning their first 10 games, the Panthers dropped a 4-1 decision at Turpin on Monday.
Extras
Tuesday, the Panthers scored four times in the bottom of the sixth, then held on for dear life to secure an 8-7 win over visiting Anderson.
The Panthers held a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. Dani Bechtel started the inning with a base hit, then advanced when Angie Sandmann reached on an error. Catie Luck loaded the bases with a bunt single, and Chelsea Megie cleared them with a triple — her second three-bagger of the game.
Brittany Colwell then drove Megie home with a single to give the Panthers a seemingly comfortable 8-3 lead.
Anderson rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh, however, and had the bases loaded when pitcher Marica Baker induced a fly ball to Sandmann in center field to end the game.
"We held on," Little Miami coach Randy Callahan said. "Hopefully, this is the start of another win streak."
Turpin handed the Panthers their first loss by quieting their bats. After averaging just under 10 hits a game in their 10 wins, Little Miami managed just three against the Spartans.
"We just weren't ready to play," Callahan said. "We came out flat. It seems like we always play that way when we go to Turpin.
"We're hoping that loss was a wake-up call."
The Panthers had a shot at redemption against Turpin yesterday (after press time) and travel to Loveland today before playing a twi-night double-header at Lefferson Park in Middletown on Friday against Milford and Glen Este.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.
