A five run third inning for the Warriors turned the tide of the game.
Lilly Swatos gave the Lady Panthers a brief lead in the first inning driving in Laken Renkes with a two out single. That would be the only tally of the contest for EP.
Sterling responded in the bottom of the first plating two runs using a pair of walks, a pair of doubles, and a Panther error, one of four the team would commit during the game.
The Warriors added a third run in the second inning on an RBI single.
Sterling took control of the game in the third as they scored five times. Panther starter Wynn Renkes struggled in the frame as her second walk of the inning forced in a run to make it 4-1. Following a strikeout, an error allowed two more runs to score. That was followed by a double and a triple to make it 8-1.
Ayden Klendworth took over the EP pitching duties in the fourth and gave up an unearned run with two outs on another EP error.
The Panthers put two runners on in the sixth with a double by Swatos and walk to Isabella Olvera but the threat was ended by an infield fly and a groundout.
Renkes gave up 7 hits and 8 runs (two earned), striking out 4 and walking 4 in three innings to take the loss.
Panther lead off hitter, Laken Renkes reached base four times with a pair of singles, a hit by pitch, and an error. Clean up hitter, Lilly Swatos went 2 for 3 with a single, a double, and had the lone RBI.
Lady Panther head coach Jessie Rosenow hopes to see better results next week. “We played a solid first few innings, but some costly errors hindered any momentum to get back into the game. We’ll take those as learning experiences this early in the season. With a busy week ahead and four games on the schedule, we’re looking forward to getting back on the field and continuing to improve.”
The Lady Panthers will host their first game of the season on Monday with Bureau Valley at 4:30.
EP’s Alyssah Padia fouls off a pitch on Saturday.
