Lady Panthers beat Fruitvale in opener

FRUITVALE — The North Hopkins Lady Panthers got off to a great start to their season Tuesday, taking down the Fruitvale Lady Bobcats 4-3 in their season opener. In a close battle, the Lady Panthers came out on top, starting their season off on the right foot.

This was also the Lady Panthers’ first game under new head coach Phillip Mathis, who picked up the win in his debut.

The first inning saw the Lady Panthers jump out to a quick 1-0 lead after Hadlee Hrabal scored a run. The Lady Bobcats would score two runs in the second inning, pulling ahead 2-1.

In the third inning, the Lady Panthers pulled ahead thanks to runs by Morgan Burnett and Evie Fuentes-Perry, giving them a 3-2 lead. This would be followed by a scoreless fourth inning.

The fifth inning would also be scoreless, as each defense continued to limit the opposing team's offense. The sixth inning would be a repeat of the previous two, as either offense could find a way to add points to their score. That would change in the following inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Lady Panthers extended their lead when Hrabal scored another run, bringing the score to 4-2. Though the Lady Bobcats threatened to come back with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Panthers managed to preserve the win, winning the game 4-3 and beginning their season with an opening day victory.

As a team, the Lady Panthers batted 6 for 16 (.375) from the plate. Sara Edmonson, Daylee Fite, Lucy Hernandez, Hrabal, Taryne Loyd, and Kenzie Phillips all recorded one hit each. Hrabal scored two runs, while Burnett and Fuentes-Perry added one run each.

Fite earned the victory in the circle. Across seven innings, she notched eight strikeouts and gave up only three runs and two walks.

With the win, the Lady Panthers are 1-0 to start the season and the Mathis era of North Hopkins softball. They resumed action Thursday, competing in the Commerce Tournament.