Lady Panthers rally back on Lady Lions

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The Miami Trace Lady Panther softball team claimed victory over the Washington High School Lady Lions Friday evening 10-8 during the ‘Strike Out Cancer’ game.

The Lady Panthers began the game with one run in the bottom of the first.

A quick retort by the Lady Lions, though, in the top of the second, brought the game to 2-1. The Panthers, not wanting to be outdone, pushed back in the bottom of the third inning with two more runs of their own.

The fourth inning went by scoreless for both teams, but the Lions were quick to take the lead in the top of the fifth with three runs. A solid defense brought the game to the top of the sixth. With a decent gap to make up, the Panthers pushed it into high gear and brought a large sixth inning with seven runs.

The score was 10-5 as the Lions took to the plate. They scored three runs in the inning, but unfortunately could not hold on long enough to tie the game.

“I told them coming into the last inning that we led several innings during the game and to go one pitch at a time,” Lady Lion head coach Randy Elzey said. “I told them to make every pitch count and I think we did that. We had the tying run at the plate in that last inning, and we just could not come through in the end. But I am proud of the way the girls battled back.

“(We) were in the lead for a few innings, and got a little down during the sixth inning when the Panthers had a pretty good inning,” Elzey said. “The big thing though, it is not always about what happens inside this fence. We had the opportunity with Miami Trace to help a family out in need and that is what it is about, especially in this small community. From the Blue Lions Softball program, we wish the Napiers the best of luck in their battle against cancer.”

The Lady Lions will move on to finish one of the rained out games against McClain on Monday, where they will begin at the top of the second inning leading 1-0.

“We kind of struggled tonight with our bats and have been hitting hard all year and hit especially hard when we played them at their place,” Miami Trace head coach Terry Smith said. “We got off on what we were swinging at and hit a lot of balls in the air. We got down, but we had confidence and do have confidence, that these girls can score a run.

“I have been friends of Debbie and Eddie Napier for years and they have supported the boosters,” Smith said about the Strike Out Cancer game. “These two have been battling cancer for a little while and we want to help them out, even if it’s just in a small way. Thanks to the Lady Lions for helping to sell the shirts and raise money for these folks who have given so much to us.”

The Lady Panthers will take on undefeated Clinton-Massie on Monday, a match Smith said he hopes they can defeat them in. Massie beat Miami Trace earlier this week, 3-2.

Kate Jude delivers a pitch for the Lady Lions during their game at Miami Trace Friday, April 29, 2016.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/04/web1_KateJudevsTrace42916.jpgKate Jude delivers a pitch for the Lady Lions during their game at Miami Trace Friday, April 29, 2016.

Harmonee Napier watches the flight of the ball during an at-bat for Miami Trace in the game against Washington Friday, April 29, 2016.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/04/web1_HarmoneeNapierpic42916.jpgHarmonee Napier watches the flight of the ball during an at-bat for Miami Trace in the game against Washington Friday, April 29, 2016.

By Martin Graham

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Reach Martin Graham at (740) 313-0351 or on Twitter @MartiTheNewsGuy

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