The EP Panther boys picked up their suspended game with Mendota from last week on Friday in Prophetstown and were on the short end of an 8-4 score when the game was called in the seventh inning. A collision between the Panther’s Carter Hadaway and Grayden Church resulted in an ambulance being called to administer to Church and both coaches and umpires decided to end the game in the top of the seventh.
The Panthers threatened in their first inning resumption but with runners on second and third a Braedyn Frank hard grounder ended the inning with Mendota up 1-0.
The Trojans added another run in the fourth before EP got on the board. Cade Huisman singled to left driving in Hadaway who had reached on a single of his own.
Mendota tacked on 3 runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to increase the lead to 8-1 before the Panther bats found some life. Hadaway started the biggest inning for the Panthers in a couple weeks with a single and Huisman coaxed a walk to put runners on first and second. After a fielder’s choice and stolen base, Alastaire Sweetser singled to left field driving in 2 runs. Singles by Frank and Gavin VanDyke added another run to close the gap to 8-4.
The game was called with one out in the top of the seventh.
Frank led the Panther 10 hit attack with 3 of his own while Hadaway had the two singles for a multiple hit game also.
Sophomore Gavin VanDyke made his first start of the season going 4 innings giving up 9 hits, 5 earned runs, while striking out 5 Mendota batters.
The 5-14-1 Panthers return to action Monday at 4:30 at Lena facing the Panthers.
