Pinckneyville softball Panthers go 5-2 in last seven games
May 10
Panthers 8; Nashville 4
We were really good defensively all day as we only had two strikeouts (the last two hitters of the game). Taylor Kurtz had a couple of plays at short that I think she is the only shortstop in southern Illinois who can make them (a double play at second and a deflection for an assist at first). Emily Ruppert also had a nice throw for an outfield assist at third. Addie Waggoner did a nice job of spotting her fastball as well, as Nashville can really swing the bat. Offensively, we had several girls contribute, as all nine girls hit a line drive at some point today, and we did a nice job of playing small ball. Ava Adcock had a great day at the plate, scoring 4 of our 8 runs. It was a good day, and we have another big day ahead of us tomorrow. Records: 7-4 (4-0 conference)
May 11
Carterville 8; Panthers 5
I was worried about a letdown after a big win last night, and our defense just made too many miscues to have a chance to win. On the positive side, we got down in the first and fought back. Earlier in the season, the game would have been over then, so it was good to see fight in us. We will have a couple of days of needed practice and get back after it on Friday. Records: 7-5 (4-1 conference)
May 14-15
Panthers 15, Sparta 3
Panthers 9, Chester 3
Mt. Vernon 4, Panthers 2
This was a solid weekend for us. We were lacking some energy when the Sparta game began, but I thought we definitely got better as the game went along, finishing well. In the Chester game, Zoey Kellerman threw the ball well for us, going six strong innings. Again, our at-bats got better as the game progressed, and we finished strong with both Megan Engelhardt and Joey Kellerman hitting home runs. In our final game against Mt. Vernon, I think we really showed how much we have improved, manufacturing two runs against the area's best pitcher. We also gained some lessons that needed to be learned as a handful of mistakes led to our defeat. This game felt like a sectional level game, which we needed to experience with the postseason arriving soon. 9-6 (5-1 conference)
May 18
Panthers 14; A-J 0
We did a nice job of going down to Anna-Jonesboro and taking care of business. We pounded out 16 hits, with Ava Adcock going 4-4 with six RBI and Zoey Kellerman and Deja Jenkel both adding three hits apiece as well. Addie Waggoner threw the ball well for us, not giving up any solid contact all day, and Zoey Kellerman came in and finished it off for us. We were clean in the field and solid at the plate - a good combination. Records: 10-6 (6-1 conference)
May 19
Panthers 9; Centralia 5
This was a night where our older kids carried us for the most part. Megan Engelhardt was on base all day and drove in 4, and Taylor Kurtz had a big two-run double when we really needed it. Then on the younger side, Chloe Eisenhauer had a couple of mature at bats later in the game, hammering a two-run home run to give us some insurance late. This was a learning game for us. We didn't have our normal level of energy and it showed as we struggled to take our normal quality at bats today. It is hard to be great every day, and sometimes you have to find a way to win when you're not at your best, and we did that today. Overall record: 11-6.
Game reports compiled by Pinckneyville Coach Alan Engelhardt.