Lady Panthers advance on in playoffs with 12-2 win

PINE PRAIRIE -- The No. 12 Pine Prairie Lady Panthers out paced the Union Parish Lady Farmers in a 12-2 victory off the back of a big fifth inning to earn their first playoff win.
The Lady Panthers will travel to Kaplan to face the No. 5 seeded Lady Pirates in the regional round of the post-season. Pine Prairie improves to 20-11 on the season.
The top of the first inning did not go Union Parish’s way, with only two players being able to base briefly. Three quick outs sent the two teams to the bottom of the first inning.
Pine Prairie’s first inning, on the other hand, went largely in the Lady Panther’s favor. Maycie Hardy was first to bat and was able to reach first after she was hit by the pitcher.
Asia George was next up and singled, which allowed Hardy to reach third, while George reached second off the throw in from outfield.
Jacie McFarlain hit the plate next and sacrifice bunted, scoring Hardy and sending George to third. Kailey Soileau was sent to first off of a walk. Wall reached first on a fielder’s choice back to the pitcher, who threw out Soileau trying to reach second.
A wild pitch allowed George to score and sent Kameron Allen, courtesy running for Wall, to second. Allie Fontenot was hit by the pitch and sent to first. Abbie Fontenot walked to first sending Allie Fotnenot to second base.
Kaitlin Robinson also walked, scoring Allen. A fielder’s choice from the pitcher got Allie Fontenot out to close out the first inning with the Lady Panthers on top 3-0.
The Lady Farmers continued to struggle in the top of the second inning, as Wall quickly picked up two strike-outs and a ground out to end the at bat.
In the bottom of the second, Pine Prairie added a single run to their total. With one out, George walked to first and McFarlain doubled, putting runners at second and third.
Soileau sacrificed herself to score George. A fly ball out ended the at bat for the Lady Panthers, but not before they could take the four run lead.
Union Praish was eventually able to find some success at the top of the third inning, as Malaysia Reynolds doubled to start off the inning. Essynce Wallace was hit by the pitch and sent to first base.
A ground ball between first and second off of the bat of Trinity Wallace hit Essynce Wallace as she made her way to the next bag, forcing an out and keeping Reynolds at second and allowing Trinity Wallace to reach first base.
Knighton singled, scoring Reynolds and sending Trinity Wallace to third. After a fly ball out to left field, a wild pitch scored Trinity Wallace moving Knighton to third base. Wall induced a ground ball to produce the third out, making it a 4-1 game in favor of the Lady Panthers.
The fourth inning proved to be fruitless offensively for both squads. However, Pine Prairie would find their bats in the bottom of the fifth after holding the Lady Farmers scoreless in the top half of the inning.
The Lady Panthers used some small ball and big bats to score eight important runs in their final at bat of the game.Wall singled and was followed by two perfect bunts from Allie and Abbie Fontenot.
After another successful bunt from Kaitlin Robinson, Kaitlyn Fontenot reached on a fielder’s choice. A sacrifice fly and two doubles later, coupled with a throwing error, and the Lady Panthers had secured the run-rule win.
Asia George led the way at the plate for Pine Prairie going 3 for 3 with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored. Soileau went 1 for 2 with two RBI.
Wall threw five innings, giving up two runs on two hits while striking out six and walking one.