Panthers Drop a Pair on the Road

The Philander Smith Panthers dropped a pair of non-conference games on the road at Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge, AR.  The Panthers fell 11-5 in game one of the contest.

The Panthers struggled from the start, giving up two runs in the first inning and three in the second, falling behind early, 5-0.  The lead grew to 9-0 in the fourth.  After a scoreless fifth, the Panthers manufactured five runs in the sixth when Eli Sheppard doubled to left field, scoring Julian Benford and Noah Siedenschwarz, both of whom reached on walks, to cut the deficit to 9-2.  Later, with bases loaded, Kyler Richie doubled with a deep fly to the warning track, scoring Owen Branch, Sheppard, and Ruben Ortiz before being thrown out trying to stretch the hit while heading for third, rounding out the Panthers scoring.

For the game, Richie had one hit and three runs batted in, while Sheppard had one hit, one run, and two RBIs.  Terron McGrew (1-1) took the loss for the Panthers while pitching the entire game.  Gabe Dimberger picked up the win for Williams Baptist.

GAME TWO

Philander Smith fell behind 2-0 following a two-run homer by Skylar Morrison in the first inning.  The Panther quickly trimmed the lead to 2-1 in the second on a sacrifice fly by Kyler Richie to left field, scoring Eli Sheppard.  The Eagles scored a run in the second and third innings, extending the lead to 4-1.  The Panthers cut the deficit to 4-3 on a 2-run double by Julien Benford, scoring Tyson Rosario and Chandler Morrow.

The Eagles stymied the Panthers with a seven-run fifth for an 11-3 lead.  The Panthers scored another run in the sixth when Ruben Ortiz singled, scoring Darriel Cole for the final tally.

The Panthers fell to 3-8 for the season.