In a game moved from Galt to Mercer due to wet field conditions, the visiting Grundy R-5 Lady Panthers put a late-game scare into the Lady Cardinals, putting up four runs in the top of the 7th inning, but falling in a 6-5 HDC Conference decision on Thursday night.
Mercer opened the lead quickly with three runs in the 1st, a single run in 2nd, and two runs in the fourth. Grundy’s runs came late, with a single run in the 6th inning leading to the 4 spot in the 7th.
Aubrey Gann was 3 for 4 for Grundy, with a pair of singles, two steals, and 3 RBI’s. Emma Novak went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and a stolen base. Starting pitcher Matana Munday pitched six innings for Grundy County, striking out six Cardinals, walking 11, and allowing only three hits.
Lady Panther coach Jessica Parsons commented, “I’m proud of how the girls battled back and never gave up. We just have to reduce the number of mistakes.”
The Lady Panthers are now 4-6 on the season.
In other softball action from Thursday night, Polo took a GRC contest at Princeton 11-3. The visiting Lady Panthers scored in six of the seven innings, including four in the 4th inning. Jenni Farmer picked up the win with four innings of work. Shelby Copeland got the start for Polo and went three innings, giving up three runs on four base hits.
Teagan Logan was 3 for 4 for Polo with a double and two runs scored. Shelby Copeland had 3 RBI’s while Averie Heil added a pair of RBI’s.
Haley Johnson had four strikeouts from the circle for the Lady Tigers.
The North Harrison Lady Shamrocks took advantage of a sixth-inning error to score four times and down the visiting Milan Lady Wildcats in non-conference action in Eagleville, 5-0. Sam DeRyke went 1 for 3 for Milan. Milan will be in the Nan Carter Tournament at Trenton High School on Saturday, with a rematch against North Harrison at 9 AM (Johnson Field), followed by Brookfield at noon and Marceline at 4:30.
Other Thursday night softball finals were:
Benton 12, Chillicothe 2
Monroe City 6, Brookfield 0
Hamilton 13, West Platte 0
Lathrop 4, Lawson 1
Maysville 12, King City 2
Stanberry 3, Braymer 2
Platte Valley 10, Worth County 0
Lafayette 3, Cameron 2
Brashear 15, Linn County 5
LaPlata 4, Green City 2
