The Lady Panthers picked up their fourth win in a row as they beat Rock Falls 7-1 on the road Monday.
Starting pitcher Wynn Renkes looked strong giving up 5 hits,1 earned run, walking none, and striking out 15 in the seven inning contest. The junior threw an immaculate inning in the second, striking out the side on nine pitches.
The Panthers scored first in the contest with Alyssah Padia scoring on a passed ball after reaching on a walk. Leah Richmond drove in the second run with an single plating Isabella Olvera who has singled.
EP tallied two more runs in the fourth with Olvera doubling in Lilly Swatos who had reached on a dropped third strike to make it 3-0. Olvera reached third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Richmond.
As Renkes continued to cruise, the EP offense padded its lead. In the top of the fifth, Ava Grawe and Laken Renkes started the inning with back-to-back singles. Wynn Renkes laid down a sacrifice bunt scoring Grawe to put the Panthers up 5-0 after four and a half innings.
The Lady Rockets finally broke through in the sixth as a lead off double came around to score on a one out RBI single.
The visitors added two more runs in the seventh as Grawe led off with a single and proceeded to steal second, advanced to third on a throwing error and stole home. Laken Renkes followed that with a double advancing to third on an error. She came in on a sacrifice bunt by Chloe Hamilton to close the scoring.
Laken Renkes, Grawe and Richmond each had two knocks for the Panthers with Richmond driving in two.
“Wynn pitched a fantastic game for us, finishing with 15 strikeouts and no walks,” said EP coach Jessie Rosenow. “Our defense was equally sharp behind her, making the plays we needed. Offensively, we came through with some timely hits, and Leah Richmond stayed red hot at the DP position, going 2-for-2 at the plate tonight.
The Lady Panthers (4-2) will take on the undefeated Rockets (5-0) in Rockridge on Tuesday. “Rockridge will be a great test for us, and we’re ready for it. We know what we need to do, and we’re excited for the opportunity ahead,” added Rosenow.
