Josh Eyrich, AP Staff
Windy might have been an understatement for describing the conditions the Panthers and Titans met under on Thursday afternoon. Facing Monmouth-Roseville for the second time in three days, Erie-Prophetstown looked to build on their first victory of the season, a 3-1 win which came Tuesday afternoon against the same Titans.
Despite the weather howling nothing ended up leaving the yard but the small ball was plentiful. Both teams combined for 12 hits with only two extra base hits all afternoon.
Bryce VanDeWostine began the game on the mound for the Panthers. He would allow 2 runs in his three innings of work before giving way to Kolby Franks in the fourth. Franks entered with the score tied at 2. In the bottom half of the inning a one out single by VanDeWostine would give the Panthers the lead by driving in Bryce Jepson from second.
Jepson’s walk to lead off the inning was an example of the patience the Panther’s hitters displayed all day, a point Coach Brad Tichler made after the game, “The guys played well in the windy conditions. It was nice to see the offense come alive with good approaches at the plate and some key hits.” The Panthers approach was evident in the 12 walks they took.
The disciplined approach was difficult for the Titans as they used four pitchers across their six innings of work. In the fifth inning the Titans were on their third pitcher when the Panthers extended their lead. Three consecutive walks filled the bases with Panthers when Mason Misfeldt singled to centerfield driving in 2 runs. Two batters later Franks tripled clearing the bases and putting the Panthers up by five, 7-2. A follow-up single by VanDeWostine capped the Panthers scoring at 8.
Four different Panthers had RBIs with Franks leading the team with 3 runs to go along with his 3 steals. Franks also got the win on the mound allowing 1 hit in his four innings of work while striking out 8.
The Panthers are now 2-5, 2-1 in conference and will look to play again this Saturday at East Dubuque.
