JV softball battled Whitewater this past Tuesday but came short of a win.
The team, consisting of 12 8th graders, put up a long fight against one of their top rivals, ultimately falling short 7-1.
“We’re reminding them to build stamina,” JV head coach Ashley Smith said. “We’re keeping it positive even though the outcomes of our last several games haven’t been the best.”
The Panthers struggled at the plate in the first two innings, with only two singles from 8th graders Zoe Wager and Emma Garcia. By the end of the second inning, the Wildcats held the lead 4-0.
“There’s always a next step you can take to get better,” 8th grade starting pitcher Ryleigh Hill said.
The Panthers gained some momentum in the third inning when Hill hit an RBI groundout to bring home teammate and fellow 8th grader Caitlyn McFall who had walked earlier in the inning. Starr’s Mill held the Wildcats scoreless in the bottom of the 3rd.
Starr’s Mill could not cut further into Whitewater’s lead in the top of the 4th. The Wildcats added three more runs to increase the lead to 7-1 before the game was called due to time.
The Panthers defeated Newnan 10-5 last night. They host Fayette County on August 29 at 5 p.m.