Written by Jonathan Barker. Media by Wes O’Dell.
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Greenville Lady Panther Softball improved their record to 9-4 after winning both games in a double header against the Blackburn College Beavers on Saturday the 28th.
Shortly after the first game started, The Lady Panthers established a quick lead by scoring two runs in the first inning. Andrea Martin and Anaya Tobiason both hit singles and brought in runs. Right fielder Shannon Elbe also added one RBI and SLIAC hitter of the week Tiffany Samsoe added two RBI’s from a single and a double.
Lady Panther pitcher Hannah Burger tossed 9 strikeouts, not surrendering a run until the fifth inning. When asked about her performance she responded: “I have to credit our assistant coach, Coach Barnes, for a lot of my success. Each game he calls the pitches and [against Blackburn] I was able to throw them mostly accurate. He told me that our tactic was to get as many strikeouts as possible and that was what happened.”
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Greenville stayed hot heading into the second game, driving four runs in the first inning and an additional four runs in the second inning to make it 8-0. Becca Oldham, Andrea Martin, and Jessica Laubecher each batted home two runs. Laubecher also had an impressive performance on the opposite site of the ball pitching a shutout, and only allowing three hits while striking out four batters. The game ended after the fifth inning, giving the Lady Panthers’ their 9th victory of the season.
Coach Tracy Cromer commented on her Lady Panthers. “We played good, fundamental softball on Saturday. Our pitchers threw the ball well and the defense played solidly behind them. It was our first doubleheader this season we have played without an error. “ This was the Lady Panthers first conference match up of the season. Coach Cromer continued: “I think we gained more confidence during our Florida trip, but getting conference sweeps are very important. Although it is early, we are already seeing some surprising splits taking place among teams in the conference.”
After another two wins in their double header at Illinois Colllege, the Lady Panthers extended their win streak to 9. Greenville will face another conference rival MacMurray on Friday the 3rd.
