Continuing their incredible start to the season winning their fifth straight game, the Russellville Lady Panthers softball team took on district rival the Todd County Central Lady Rebels on Tuesday night. The Lady Panthers defeated the home standing Lady Rebels 12-4 in what was another impressive performance. An important first victory in district play for the Lady Panthers. Coming into this matchup, the Lady Panthers had two comeback wins against the Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots and Clinton County last week, and then followed up with a blowout victory against the Bowling Green Lady Purples on Monday night winning 19-0.
The Lady Panthers offense was firing on all cylinders as the team collectively had 15 hits for the night with Akiah Bell batting four-for-five, with a double and a triple on her stat sheet. Seniors Madison Penrod and Rayleigh Roberts pitched in two hits each and both drove in two runs. The Lady Panthers were also able to combine for five stolen bases making life difficult for the opposing pitcher. On the pitching side of the game, sophomore Chloe “Red” Penrod had a solid performance earning the win pitching six innings allowing just five hits, four runs, and two strikeouts.
Speaking with the Lady Panthers head coach, Ryan Davenport, he talked about the two games prior to their matchup against the Lady Rebels and why they have been successful, “I’ve been very proud of our players for being able to overcome adversity so far this year. We’ve shown a lot of mental toughness. In a game of failure, like softball, that’s huge.” The Lady Panthers trailed the Lady Patriots 9-3 as they fought back to win 15-10. “Our comeback was led by senior Reese Croslin’s grand slam,” Davenport said. In the game against Clinton County, the Lady Panthers found themselves trailing in the final inning 3-2, but senior catcher Madison Penrod crushed a solo home run to tie the game, going on to win it in extra innings 6-5.
Pitching is an important element to success, but in addition to that is just working as a team as Coach Davenport expressed, “We have had great pitching from both Chloe “Red” Penrod and Rylee Grayson.” He followed up with, “I credit a lot of our early success to our team chemistry and great effort from all players, and I’m extremely proud of each of them.”
Looking ahead the Lady Panthers hope to continue their winning streak as they take on the South Warren Lady Spartans tonight at home, building momentum to another strong season.
Wes Elrod can be reached by emailing wpechagolla@gmail.com
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