The last few days showed the true nature of team sports for the Panthers on the softball and baseball fields. Highs and lows come with sports, and our local teams experienced both.
On Friday, the Lady Panthers soundly defeated the Erwin Warriors 6-1 in what was the girls’ last home game of the season in Franklin.
The Panthers jumped on Erwin early in the first inning and never let up. Runs came in a flurry in both the first and third innings as the team loaded the bases and capitalized on singles and walks.
Erwin tried to claw back into the game in the fourth inning with a run, but in the end the Panthers defense, led by Suzanna Cabe on the mound, and the offense of Cabe, Kendall Rumans and Ashlyn McConnell among others was just too strong.
Unfortunately, on the road, the girls took it on the chin Tuesday against North Davidson losing 9-2. They finished the season a very respectable 18-8 overall and 10-4 in the tough Mountain West 4A/5A conference.
Team leaders
In looking back on the season, team leaders showed their stuff all year.
Of course, the senior Rumans is first in most categories, but not all. That sophomore Cabe ran a close second in many of the categories gives the team, and the fans, something to look forward to next season.
Pitcher Cabe led the team with 15 stolen bases, and a 3.33 Earned Run Average on the mound. Senior short stop, Ashley McConnell tied with Rumans and Alyssa Awtrey each with a triple on the year.
As for Rumans, she owns the overall record for the team in most categories. Here’s how team rounded out the season:
- Batting Average: Rumans .581, Cabe .553, McConnell third .464
- On Base Percentage: Rumans .627, Cabe .593, McConnell .505
- Home Runs: Rumans 9, Meliah Mason 6, Awtery 4
- Hits: Rumans 50, Cabe 42, McConnell 39
- Fielding Percentage: Rumans .946, Mason .934, Ilyssa Ezechel .932
- Runs: Rumans 51, Cabe 38, Awtery 30
- Runs Batted In: Rumans 48, Cabe 34, Awtery 32
- Slugging Percentage: Rumans 1.116, Cabe .842, Awtery .776
- Doubles: Rumans 17, Cabe 13, McConnell 12
Baseball’s big win
The boys were able to celebrate their first playoff win since 2019 by routing Jay M. Robinson 13-3 on May 5 at home. But, the season ended in disappointment when they lost to East Davidson 7-3 on Friday.
The baseball Panthers ended the season with an overall winning record of 12-11, but that was tempered with a disappointing 5-9 conference record.
As for next year though, judging by the statistics alone, the team looks like it can keep the positive momentum going. Lots of talent on the field should help Coach Greenwood keep Panther pride alive.
Team leaders for the season:
- Batting Average: Damion Bowles .378, Gunner McConnell .377, Anderson Terrell .373
- On Base Percentage: Brock Bradley .522, Terrell .506, Payton King .483
- Home Runs: Brayden Greenwood 5, Terrell 1, Isaiah Deas 1
- Stolen Bases: Terrell 16, Bowles 14, Addix Sutton 9
- Earned Run Average: Terrell 2.73, Greenwood 2.85, Caden Mason 5.51
- Fielding Percentage: Hunter Lowe 1.000, Colton Ledbetter .981, Bowles .977
- Runs: Bowles 25, Terrell 24, Paxton Sutton 21
- Hits: Bowles 31, Terrell 25, Sutton 22
- RBIs: Terrell 21, Bowles 20, McConnell 17
- Slugging Percentage: Terrell .597, Greenwood .571, Bowles .476
- Doubles: Terrell 12, Bowles 6, McConnell 5
- Triples: Bowles and Deas 1 each
