Lets go again; Cougars and Panthers will 'Clash' in the District 13 title game
by
Paul Halfacre Sports Editor
News Democrat Leader
Image 1 / 4
N-D&L Photo/Paul Halfacre
RHS' Caleb Wills and Seth Washington leap into the air in celebration after their victory over Franklin-Simpson
The Cougars and Panthers were itching to face each other one last time this season. Both games this season went to the Cougars of Logan County and the Panthers was hoping they would get a third shot at the Cougars.
But to get to the title game both had to take care of business in the first round. Logan County had to face the lowly Rebels of Todd County while Russellville had to take on the peaking Franklin-Simpson Wildcats.
The Cougars easily cruised to a 10-1 victory over the Rebels and awaited the winner of the second game. In the second game the Panthers finally knocked off the Wildcats 2-0 in a thrilling game.
In the first game the Todd County Rebels scored the opening run to make it a quick 1-0 lead.
But after that it was all Logan County and pitcher Dustin Nash. Nash would slam the door on the Rebels after the first inning not allowing a single base runner in the next six innings. The outcome was a foregone conclusion as the Cougars continued to tack on runs and easily put the game away with a 10-1 victory.
The victory meant that the Cougars earned their way to the title game and punched their way to the Region 4 tournament. Now all they needed was an opponent.
The Panthers and Wildcats squared off and after having played two close games in the regular season this was going to be the one to decide it all.
The Panthers and Wildcats exchanged two scoreless innings before Caleb Wills hammered a solo home run over the left field wall. They would tack on an insurance run later and then handed the ball over to Corey Wright. Wright repeatedly shut the door on the Wildcats for seven shut out innings en route to the 2-0 victory.
The victory means that the Panthers will face the Cougars in the District 13 title game and importantly earned their way into the Region 4 tournament next week.
But for now the district title is up for grabs and the two rivals will do battle one more time this season. Winner comes home with the district title. The Cougars want to repeat as the champions and the Panthers want to grab the title for themselves. The 'Clash' for the title starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday night.