Panther softball on a win-streak
By FRED KRONER
Vivian Smith swatted three hits and Lyla Patton added two hits on Wednesday (Aug 16) as the St. Joseph Junior High softball team extended its winning streak to four games in a row with a come-from-behind 8-7 win at home over Monticello.
The Panthers trailed, 7-6, entering the bottom of the seventh inning.
Smith scored two runs and Patton delivered two runs batted in.
Mia Miller, who stole two bases, also crossed home plate twice.
Brooklyn Stevens pitched 6 1/3 innings and picked up the win. She walked two and struck out five batters.
On Friday (Aug. 18) and Saturday (Aug. 19), the Panthers won two of three games in the Clinton Tournament and finished in third place.
St. Joseph opened with a 3-1 win over host Clinton. Patton permitted one hit and one walk in six innings. She fanned 12 batters.
Stevens and Smith each swatted two hits. Stevens belted a triple.
In the semifinals, St. Joseph suffered a 9-0 loss to Evans. Stevens and Braelyn Ikemire had the Panthers’ two hits. Stevens struck out seven in five innings, but took the loss.
In the third-place game, the Panthers bopped Montessori Academy, 19-2.
Scoring two runs apiece were Avery Haley, Ashlee Jannusch, Stevens and Teagan Blacker. Raegan Wheatley clubbed a home run and Ainsley Dirksmeyer socked a triple.
Patton pitched the first inning and was relieved by Ava Alexander, who retired all six batters she faced during the final two innings.
The Panthers (8-3) are scheduled to return to action on Wednesday (Aug. 23) at home against Bismarck-Henning.
