Lady Panther defense leads to doubling up Franklin

Lady Panther Caylin Stewart slides into third safely underneath the tag attempt of Lady Bronco Candace Gibbs.

Andre' Jones photo

Lately, Charles City’s Lady Panthers have found alternative methods to put victories in the win column. A matchup against the visiting Franklin’s Lady Broncos on May 10 proved to be another one.

Defensive pressure from the hosts coupled with two consecutive shutout innings enabled the Lady Panthers to double up on the Lady Broncos 20-10 in the Tri-Rivers District five-inning affair.

Trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the first, multiple Lady Panthers reached base and home plate thanks to errant pitching by Lady Bronco Katelyn Morris. It wasn’t until Lady Panther Sydney Richard’s single registered the team’s first hit, allowing teammate Adrienne Miles to trot home. Sierra Adkins and Meryah Bates added runs on walks and steals to give the hosts a 5-2 lead.

Franklin bounced back in the next inning as Allie Harris’ line drive double to right field scored two runs to cut the lead to one. Aerial Darden’s single drove Harris home and knotted the score at five apiece.

After a scoreless second inning, Charles City ramped up the defense. Bates’ outfield snag and throw to second base initiated a double play, while Miles grabbed a line drive on the next play to end the top of the third.

Four consecutive walks set up Miles’ offensive attack. The sophomore blasted a shot to right field over the defense that led to a grand slam and a 10-5 lead.

After another shutout inning, the hosts added nine more runs thanks to aggressive base running, capped off by Miles’ double with the bases loaded to drive in two more runs.

Franklin managed to cut the lead to 19-10 in the fifth by taking advantage of exhausted pitcher Hailey Holmes. But Holmes made amends as she singled in teammate Ke’Ara Jones to give the hosts a 20-10 victory via the slaughter rule.

Victorious head coach Lauren Wood spoke about Holmes’ effort, as well as her team’s defense.

“I knew she was tired, but it has been one of the best decisions we’ve made all year,” said Wood. “With her pitching, we have a better cast of defense around her to make plays.”

“We now have a whole week of practice to work,” continued the coach. “We have to correct errors when we take on Sussex, and those errors will not happen a second time.”

Charles City (4-5 overall, 4-2 Tri-Rivers) currently holds the third seed while Franklin (0-11, 0-6) sits on the bottom of district standings.