Costly fielding mistakes in the 6th inning cost the Panthers the win as they fell 5-2.
The contest was a pitchers dual throughout as Panther, Ayden Klendworth and Maple Leaf, Kendyl Wassenhove were dominant early on. Through the first four innings, EP only had 2 singles and Geneseo had no hits as Klendworth was able to get 12 ground outs during that stretch and only walked one.
Geneseo’s Lauren Piquard homered to start the fifth to take a 1-0 lead. In EP’s sixth after an out, Laken Renkes got her second single of the night. Catcher’s interference was called during a Lilly Swatos swing allowing her first base and Leah Richmond coaxed a walk to load the bases. Klendworth came through with a clutch single to left center driving in 2 runs to put EP up 2-1 entering Geneseo’s half. That’s when things changed.
The Panther infield, which was flawless early, committed 3 errors and a wild pitch and 4 Geneseo runners were able to cross home plate on only one hit. The Panthers weren’t able to score in their seventh and left with the sour taste in their mouths.
Head coach Jesse Russell was downcast afterwards telling the girls “I liked the way we bounced back from our game yesterday but we have to remain consistent with our defense and continue to attack the ball the whole game instead of getting back on our heels under pressure.”
The 10-9 Panthers hit the road again Thursday at Spring Valley Hall and Friday at Riverdale.
