Panthers’ baseball, softball teams start seasons strong
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When the high school baseball and softball seasons began, Western was highly favored to have strong years. The Tipton Blue Devils found out why the hard way, dropping games in both sports on April 7-8.
Both the baseball and softball teams for Western prevailed in the home-and-home contests; all but one of the games cut short by the run rule.
The boys’ varsity Panthers opened with back-to-back victories over the Tipton Blue Devils on April 7-8. In the opener, Western cruised to a commanding 18-2 win. They repeated their success on April 8 with a 6-4 win in which they never trailed.
Western was led on the mound by senior hurler Levi Shoemaker. But the Panthers chose to treat the contest as a bullpen game, bringing in sophomore Nathan Condo, senior Gavin White, and junior Gavin Denton to keep Tipton off the bases.
Senior second baseman Miles Rudy helped out at the plate, scoring a key run. Senior Charlie Brewer also found offensive success, as did senior centerfielder Cal Berryman. Eli Roe, a junior, fielded well at shortstop.
Tipton managed four runs on four hits, capitalizing on a pair of Western defensive miscues. Junior Gabe Wiggington drove in the only earned run of the evening for the Blue Devils. Sophomore Aaden Gibbs started for Tipton, allowing four runs on three hits while walking five of the 21 batters he faced. Wigginton spelled him on the mound in the fourth inning, allowing two runs -- one earned -- and walking a pair.
The Blue Devils have continued to struggle through April, logging a 2-8 record. They next travel to Taylor High School on April 24 to face the Titans.
The Panthers have proven to be more than formidable, registering at least an 11-0 record (games against Eastern and Westfield went with scores unreported). Holding the No. 3 ranking in the Class 3A IHSAA Coaches’ Poll, Western returns to action at Northwestern on April 24.
The two schools also faced off in girls’ softball on April 8, but the contest was brief and brutal. Western dominated Tipton, winning by the mercy rule, 13-1. The Lady Panthers achieved a similar victory against the Lady Blue Devils on April 7, winning 12-0 in a shortened contest.
Western scored nine of their 13 runs on April 8 in the first inning, chasing Tipton hurler Chidalynn Beach from the mound before she could register an out in the second inning. Beach was tagged for 10 runs -- six earned -- on seven hits and three walks.
Senior Brynley Erb led the Lady Panthers with three hits, including a double, while driving in three runs. Senior Rylynn performed well at the plate, collected two hits, including a double, while driving in a pair of runs. Junior Lucy George added a pair of hits, driving in a run. Sophomore Kennedy Tishner also registered two hits, driving in two runs.
Western was deadly on the basepaths, stealing five bases, and they played perfect defense, avoiding errors altogether.
Junior Rhys Rayl tallied the win with four innings of scoreless work from the mound. She allowed just three hits. Freshman Peyton Yentes was brought in to pitch the fifth, and she was tagged with a run on one hit while walking three.
At 3-8, the Lady Blue Devils travel to Heritage Christian on April 23, trying to break a six-game slide. The Lady Panthers have a bit of a respite. They do not return to action until April 27, when they host Eastern. Western will try to win its third straight game to improve on its 5-4 record.
See additional photos from the baseball and softball games, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.