Simultaneous action at the Alba-Golden ballparks last Tuesday saw the Panthers claim an 8-1 win over the visiting Cumby Trojans while the Lady Panthers fell to the Rivercrest Lady Rebels by the same score. 

The Lady Rebels made the long trek down to Wood County but didn’t unpack their bats until the middle innings. Rivercrest put up three runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth to break open a game which they led early, 1-0. 

On the day, the Lady Rebels chalked up 13 base hits, leading to the middle inning rallies. 

The Lady Panthers put their sole run on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Cacie Lennon and Kalli Trimble earned free passes. Left-hitting Kylie Kennedy – who went 2-for-4 – then pegged an RBI single into right field, scoring Lennon. 

The Lady Panthers had ample opportunities to make a run against the Rebels. The home side left runners on base in every inning but the second. All told, ten Lady Panthers were stranded. 

The Lady Panthers embark on a bit of a road trip. They faced Detroit April 8, Como-Pickton April 12 and have a rematch with Rivercrest Friday. Their remaining home game is Tuesday, April 19 when they host Detroit. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. 

On the adjacent field, the Alba-Golden Panthers were enjoying one of the most satisfying aspects of baseball – a first inning rally. 

Easton Campbell got things started for the Panthers with a single. Chaelton Cook – who recorded the win on the mound – drove him home with a double. Cook also came around to score in the inning, as Tyler Perez and Michael Lacy recorded base hits. 

Alba-Golden added a run in the second. Micah Smith was driven in after he led off the inning with a single. 

Cumby whickered together enough offense to put a single run on the board in the top of the third. After this single score, the Trojans could manage only three additional baserunners for the remainder of the game. Cook had excellent command of the strike zone throughout the game and shut down the Trojan bats.

Taking a 3-1 lead into the fourth, Alba-Golden rallied for three  runs in the bottom half using four base hits culminating in a Perez double. 

The fifth was much the same. Cook put the Trojans down in order. In the bottom half, Alba-Golden chalked up two additional runs when Smith singled, Cook walked, and Connor Gibson – a recent transfer from Mineola – scorched a ball to the fence in centerfield, scoring Smith and Cook.

It was a satisfying win for the Panthers. They generated a dozen base hits, played solid defense, and enjoyed excellent pitching. 

Coach Jimmy Oxford’s team played a return game with Cumby last Friday and entertained North Hopkins Tuesday. Friday the Panthers are in North Hopkins with play commencing at 11 a.m.