After a thrilling two-out seventh inning comeback win on Monday in Princeton the Lady Panthers could not find the magic for a last inning rally on Thursday as they fell to the Tigers 9-5. the loss puts the panthers at 8-7 on the season.
The Tigers got off to a quick start scoring two runs in the first inning on the strength of three singles. EP was undeterred with Alyssah Padilla scoring on a Princeton error after she led off with a walk. With Kyler Pritchard on base Lilly Swatos followed with an RBI single to tie the score. The Panthers took advantage of a shaky start from the Princeton pitcher as Pritchard stole home with Swatos scoring the go ahead run on a double by Hannah Ryan who was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. The Tigers then made a pitching change and were able to get out of the inning without further damage.
Panther starter Wynn Renkes wiggled out of a bases loaded two-out jam in the second after walking two batters followed by a perfectly placed bunt single. She got the following batter to hit a flyball to center to end the threat with the Panthers still up 3-2.
After a scoreless third inning the Panthers added to their lead with a two out rally. After Renkes reached base on a single and replaced by pinch runner Ella Brooks, Paezleigh Hudgin drove an RBI single to center which was followed by an RBI double by Padilla to put the Panthers up 5-2 after four.
Princeton fought back in their half of the fifth after the first four batters reached base on a single, an infield error, and two more singles to make it 5 all. Renkes was then lifted for reliever Ayden Klendworth. It looked as if EP would escape the inning after the sophomore recorded back-to-back strikeouts but a pinch hitter lined a ball down the left field line scoring 2 to put Princeton up 7-5.
The Panthers were unable to get anything going in their next two at bats but the Tigers were able to add to their lead in the seventh. With one out, a pair of singles and an infield error loaded the bases. Klendworth was then able to get another clutch strikeout for the second out but a solid single up the middle scored two to put Princeton up for good, 9-5.
Wynn Renkes took the loss for EP going four innings, surrendering 7 runs (four earned) on 9 hits, striking out 3 and walking 2. Klendworth threw three innings allowing 4 hits, 2 runs and striking out 5. Princeton pounded out 13 hits in the game.
Padia collected two hits and drove in one run for EP. Renkes also had a pair of hits with Hudgin and Ryan each drove in one run. The Panthers swiped four bases in the game.
EP will travel to Hall on Monday.
