The Panthers started slow but finished strong in the Iowa Wesleyan Tourney.
Panthers were 2-3 on the weekend at the Iowa Wesleyan Sammons Classic Tourney. PNC started slow giving up wins to Saint Ambrose University (5-4), William Penn University (10-2) and Waldorf College (11-10) before righting the ship and taking the last two games against Benedictine University (6-2) and Mount Mercy University (7-6).
PNC had a rough first day going 0-3 against Saint Ambrose, William Penn and Waldorf.
Jaci Williams started against Saint Ambrose, pitching nine innings giving up two walks and striking out six. A back and forth game for both teams, Saint Ambrose came out on top of the battle.
PNC was led by Megan Olson going three for four and Sam Jones going four for five with one RBI. Denise Runge added two RBI's and Lindsay Gernenz earned one.
Despite a strong defensive showing, Saint Ambrose was able to push one across the plate taking the win 5-4.
Game two pitted the Panthers against William Penn. Amber Welsh pitched five innings for PNC with Ashlee Keil entering the game in the sixth to finish the game.
The Panthers had very little offense in the game getting only two runs in the game. PNC was led by Jones going one for two in the game. Downs went one for three with one RBI while Welsh earned an RBI as well. Denise Runge rounded out the offense with a hit of her own.
A tough game on both sides of the ball, the Panthers fell 10-2 to William Penn.
The Panthers faced Waldorf College in the third and final game of the day. A much better game for PNC, it came down to the wire with Waldorf coming out on top 11-10.
Karissa Inglis started in the circle for the Panthers pitching three innings. Jaci Williams entered the game in the fourth, striking out five.
Offensively, PNC was led by Hillary Hoffman going four for five in the game. Lindsay Gernenz went three for four with one RBI, Jones went two for three with four RBI's and one homer while Downs earned three RBI's.
The Panthers found redemption on day two taking both games against Benedictine University and Mount Mercy University.
Hillary Hoffman was the starting pitcher for PNC against Benedictine University - Springfield, going the distance allowing two runs on eight hits, striking out one in the 6-2 win. Hoffman also added a homer to help her cause.
Offensively, Lindsay Gernenz went two for three with a homer and two RBI's. Sam Jones earned an RBI and Hoffman earned two RBI's with her homer.
With momentum on their side, the Panthers took a close game coming from behind to win the game in the seventh inning against Mount Mercy University 7-6.
Jaci Williams pitched four innings for the Panthers with Amber Welsh pitching the middle two innings and Inglis closing out the win.
The offense was led by Hillary Hoffman going three for four with three RBI's in the game. Sandi Downs and Lindsay Gernenz went two for four with an RBI a piece while Inglis added an RBI of her own.
Overall, Coach Boardman was pleased with the performance of his team. "We lost a couple really close one run games. With a little time and experience this young team will learn how to win those games. I look forward to seeing this team continue to improve."
PNC moves to 20-19 on the season. The Panthers will be back in action when they travel to Joliet, Illinois to face CCAC conference rival Saint Francis University in double header action. Game time starts at 3:00 pm.
