After a slow start to their Arizona trip, PNC softball defeats Hope International (11-6), Siena Heights (4-1) and Waldorf College (8-7). The Panthers improve to 4-2 on the season and will be back in action March 6th when they will face Dakota Wesleyan, Viterbo and Black Hills State.
The Panthers jumped on Hope quickly in the first scoring three runs. Hope cut into that lead in the bottom of the first scoring a run of their own. PNC answered back scoring four in the second, with Kayla Bauer hitting a two run homer. The Panthers added to their large lead with a run in the third when freshman Sam Gross scored a triple by Sophomore Jessica Morgan. Not giving up, Hope came to hitting a three run homer to bring the score to 8-4. After quiet 5th and 6th innings, the Panthers added a run in the sixth and two in the seventh with a homer from Jessica Morgan and a SAC bunt from freshman Erica Pauer scores junior Megan Olson. Hope scored two more in the sixth but was unable to score any runs in the bottom of the seventh giving the win to the Panthers 11-6.
Freshman Lanay Parks pitched five complete innings giving up six runs on nine hits, striking out four and walking two. Junior Karissa Inglis finished the game pitching the final two innings giving up no runs on two hits.
The Panthers had 17 hits in the game with Jessica Morgan leading the way with five hits and two rbi's. karissa Inlgis followed with three runs on four hits. Kayla Bauer had one hit with three rbi's and Lanay Parks had one hit for two rbi's. Lindsay Gernenz had two hits while Julie Hoolehan, Sandi Downs, and Sam Gross all added a hit a piece.
A quiet start to game two saw no runs scored until the fourth when freshman Julie Hoolehan hit a double to score Kayla Bauer. Not to be outdone, Siena answered right back with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth. The bats were hot in the sixth for PNC, scoring three runs, Inglis hit a two run single while Hoolehan continued her hitting ways scoring the third run. Siena was unable to score in the sixth and seventh handing the win to PNC 4-1.
Sophomore Erin Burleson took the mound for the Panthers pitching six complete innings allowing one run, none earned, striking out five. Inglis closed out the game pitching the final inning walking one and striking out one.
Hoolehan led the way offensively for PNC with two hit and two rbi's. Kayla Bauer earned three hits while, Olson, Gross, Downs, Gernenz and Inglis added hits as well.
Game three of the triple header day saw an offensive battle. The teams totaled 25 hits in the game with PNC taking the win 8-7.
PNC struck first scoring three in the top of the first. The Panthers added to their lead in the second scoring four runs and stretching the lead 7-0. Waldorf began clawing their way back with a homer in the fourth and a run in the fifth. PNC grabbed a run back in the sixth and then left it up to the defense in the seventh as a charging Waldorf scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh. The Panthers held strong preventing the tying run to score and closing out the game winning 8-7.
The Panthers advance to 4-2 on the year and will be back in action on March 6th for another triple header day.
