Lady Panthers lose number one spot to West Laurens

PERRY, Ga. — The Perry Lady Panthers (17-4, 8-2 Region 2-4A) took the field against the West Laurens Lady Raiders (19-3, 9-0 Region 2-4A) on Tuesday, but fell to the defending champs 6-0.

The teams’ regular seasons are winding down, and as the players got ready to take the field head coach Daniel Wood encouraged his team, “Play with passion, love the game!”

Ella Dowd started on the mound for Perry, and the Lady Raiders gave her some trouble to start.

The first batter got a triple just past right field’s glove, and after an out she was driven in on a single past second base for the opening score of the game.

Perry cleaned it up to get the next two outs, and took plate in the bottom to answer.

Chloe Davey and Anna Dean did get on base, but the two batters after them struck out before they could capitalize.

The Lady Raiders came back in the top and put two on with two outs, and Dowd walked another batter to load the bases before striking out the next batter to get out of a tricky situation.

Perry continued to make contact in the third inning, but the first two balls were caught for outs.

Ava Garrett hit a fly ball to left field for a single, but the batter after her struck out and Perry came up empty handed again.

While they kept coming up empty, the Lady Raiders slowly built their lead.

In the fifth the Lady Raiders made it 3-0, and Perry needed to make something happen soon.

But, once again, they couldn’t get it done in the fifth.

Kamryn Fielder dropped a ball to center field to get on base and advanced to second on a sacrifice hit, and Garrett walked to give Perry two runners on with two outs. But, the next batter hit a ground ball to first base for the third out.

In the sixth the Lady Raiders added to their lead, when a dropped infield pop up resulted in a run, pushing the lead to 4-0.

Though, the Lady Raiders weren’t finished just yet.

A bunt, an infield hit and a walk loaded the bases up. A drive to right field scored two runners to make it 6-0, and left the other two on the corners before Perry got the final out on a fly ball in center field.

Perry couldn’t respond in the seventh, and they fell to the Lady Raiders for the second time this season.

Wood said after the game that Perry came into the game off of what may be their two best games of the season.

They’d been playing good ball, but had too many errors in the game, and it cost them.

Going into the playoffs they’ll focus on fundamentals as well as their bunting, as it’s key for getting runners into scoring position.

He wants to check the hustle, intensity and attitude of the girls as they come to the end of the season.

UP NEXT

The Lady Raiders clinched first place in the region with the win and Perry, after winning their final regular season game, clinched second place.

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