In a must-win region game, the Perry Panthers bounced back with a 7-1 win over Howard on Thursday. Perry’s win follows their 8-7 loss to Veterans on Wednesday that snapped their five-game winning streak. The Panthers are 6-4 on the season with a 2-2 region record.
About halfway through the season, the Panthers are starting to hit their stride while making a few adjustments. Perry Head Coach, Kyle Davis, moved around some players to strengthen up the infield, which was one of his focuses to begin the season.
“We’ve got girls back from quarantine. I moved Abby Ussery from left field in to play shortstop, and she’s doing a fantastic job,” said Davis. “Trinity Odom went to left field; she’s doing a great job out there.”
Alli Rae Dykes was moved over from third base to shortstop, and Perry’s left side is loaded with some of the team’s best defenders. With all of the moves made, the Panthers haven’t struggled to adjust.
“It’s not affecting us at all, we just knew we had to strengthen up the left side of infield because of our pitching,” said Davis about his team’s transition. “Everybody’s ahead (of the pitch). I don’t have a flamethrower by any means, so we’re just trying to build a wall on the left side as best we can.”
Before the preventable loss against Veterans, the Panthers were on a tear by scoring at least 11 or more runs in each of their five wins. Against Veterans, pitcher Reagan Hughes was pulled and Veterans found a hitting rhythm against a fresh pitcher. Instead of subbing Hughes back in, Davis was thinking about the bigger picture and saved her for the region games that Perry needs to win.
They started on the good foot by beating Howard. Next they’ll play on the road against region rival West Laurens on Tuesday, Sept. 8 .
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