March 28, 2024

Mustang softball drops high-scoring affair to Panthers

MONROE — Prairie City-Monroe's softball team fought and clawed through every inning, but couldn't come back from a five-run deficit against Knoxville on Tuesday night.

Powered by a seven-run fourth inning, the Panthers beat the Mustangs 10-7 in non-conference action.

The Mustangs had runners on base in almost every inning and scored seven runs, but it still wasn't enough.

"I thought our fight was much better tonight," PCM head coach Shaun Hudnut said. "I thought each inning we fought back pretty well. Unfortunately that fourth inning kind of got away from us."

Both teams scored one run in the first inning. Knoxville (11-11) added another run in the third inning when Ashlyn Finarty hit a sacrifice fly to right field.

PCM was able to answer back in the bottom of the inning. After two walks and a hit batter, the Mustangs found themselves with the bases loaded.

Paige Steenhoek delivered a two-run double to left field. Steenhoek and Sidney Shaver both scored off wild pitches, and the Mustangs took a 5-2 lead after three innings.

In the fourth inning, the Panthers exploded for seven runs. Knoxville loaded the bases with no outs after two walks to start the inning and a bunt. Emery Neer hit an RBI single to center field and Emma Dunkin followed it up with an RBI single of her own.

Alex Griggs then took the ball for a ride and hit a deep shot to right-center field for a grand slam. Finarty followed it up with a solo home run to the same spot.

"We gave them a head start in the inning by putting two girls on base for free," Hudnut said. "Then they're the ones that capitalized by hitting the ball hard. They hit the grand slam and the homer back-to-back. Credit to Knoxville on that."

The Panthers added one more run when Dunkin hit a single that brought in a runner in the fifth inning.

The Mustangs (8-13) scored their final two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Riley Johannes hit an RBI double and a runner scored on another wild pitch.

PCM had opportunities with runners on base in both the sixth and seventh innings, but couldn't bring any home.

"Overall, just as a group, we're still very young," Hudnut said. "This is just part of the growing process. Learning how to get through those innings and not let things get out of hand. But they're working hard."

Steenhoek went five innings and took the loss in the circle. Riley DeVore gave relief for the final two innings.

The Mustangs travel for a 7 p.m. contest Thursday at Gilbert.