PINE PRAIRIE -- After early-season struggles with COVID-19, the Pine Prairie Lady Panthers appear to be peaking just in time.
The No.11-seeded Lady Panthers opened the Class 3A playoffs in style, shutting out the No. 22 Erath Lady Cats 10-0.
“We’ve had to overcome many obstacles in front of us this year,” Pine Prairie head coach Alycia Hebert said. “We’ve pulled together and rise to each occasion. At this point, we’re reaching mid-season form and actually getting playing together down pat, but it is ideal timing for us.”
Pitcher Ava Kordish threw a six-hit, seven-strikeout complete game in the circle and catcher Maycie Hardy drove in five runs, including a third-inning grand slam that was the centerpiece of an eight-run explosion that propelled Pine Prairie (11-9).
“Maycie is great on both defense and offense as her grand slam came in clutch for us and go the rally going,” Hebert said. “Our girls feed off of those seniors, so when Maycie’s (grand slam) led us to the eight runs in the third there was no stopping us.”
Next up, a date with No. 6-seeded Lutcher at 4:30 on Wednesday. Lutcher beat No. 27-seed Mansfield 15-0 in four innings on Monday. Results for the second-round matchup weren’t available at press time.
“We expect a quality team with a well-disciplined pitcher and big sticks with speed,” Hebert said. “We are aware of the challenge and are ready to take it on full-force.”
Kordish was locked in from the start. While Pine Prairie won by 10 runs, it relied heavily on Kordish all night to limit Erath’s lineup as most of its production came in one inning.
“This kid really has talent,” Hebert said. “She’s very confident and always gets the job done. Most freshmen wouldn’t have taken their first playoff game to that level, but Ava kept grinding until the end.”
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Rhett Manuel
Sports Editor