Mathews’ experience too much for Lady Panthers

Charles City's Jada Cotman (3) can't haul in a line drive just out of the reach of her outstretched hands.

Andre' Jones photo

A May 4 Monday afternoon matchup found the host Lady Panthers taking on Conference 42 favorite Mathews Lady Blue Devils in a softball contest contrasting of experience levels. It was apparent the older, much more veteran Lady Blue Devils had the hosts’ number.

The guests pushed across 11 second inning runs as Mathews had no trouble dropping the Lady Panthers 26-0.

After only trailing 2-0 after the first inning, Charles City could not stop the marathon of runs from the visitors. Eleven consecutive batters reached based before the Lady Panthers could record an out in inning number two. After the hosts went three and out at the bottom of the frame, Mathews rolled out three more runs in the top of the third and added 13 more in the top of the fourth. The Lady Panthers’ bats struggled all day, only recording two hits courtesy of veteran players Hailey Holmes and Sydney Richard. By contrast, the guests made contact 18 times.

Assistant coach Jennifer Richardson commented after the game the inability to take the field for practice played part in the downfall.

“We just haven’t been able to get to the field due to the inclement weather,” Richardson said. “We were scheduled to play four games last week and ended up only playing one.”

The Lady Panthers fell to 2-7-1 on the year.