With their regular starting pitcher, Aylah Jones, unavailable, the Lady Panther pitching duties fell to sophomore Jaylynn Hamilton as the Panthers hosted Rock Falls on Monday afternoon. The Rockets wasted no time offensively as they scored 6 runs in the first two innings going on to a 12-2 non-conference win.
Hamilton was greeted with a lead off double, which scored on a fielder’s choice for the first run of the contest. A double, and infield error, and a single led to two more Rocket runs to put them up 3-0.
Rock Falls pitcher, Katie Thatcher, stifled the Panthers in her three innings of work striking out 7, walking 2, and not allowing a hit.
The Rockets added three more runs in the second as a hit batter, a double, and a triple led to 3 more Rockets runs to make it 6-0 after two innings.
After an uneventful third inning the Rockets plated 5 more runs in the fourth. Thatcher helped herself with a 2 RBI double. Three more singles and an error made it an 11-0 game after four. The Rockets tacked on an additional run in the fifth to make 12-0.
The Panthers finally got on the board with Cydney Davis leading off the fifth with a double and scored on a double by Sarah Huizenga. The third double of the inning led to another run as Paezleigh Hudgin banged out a single to score Huizenga. The Panthers left a potential run at third, which would have extended the game but the Rockets claimed the 10 run-rule win.
The Panthers managed 4 hits, took 2 walks, and struck out 9 times in the game.
Hamilton gave up 12 hits, 12 runs (9 earned), and walked 4. The Panther defense committed three errors.
The 4-4 Panthers will host TRAC West opponent Monmouth-Roseville on Tuesday at 4:30.
