Mehlville Softball Ends Season to Seckman

The Panthers had a short, season-ending game Wednesday night, losing to the Seckman Jaguars 16-0 in three innings.

Seckman hosted Mehlville in the first round of district play and got off to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. After scoring four and then 10 in the second and third innings, the game was called. 

"We had no chemistry," said Panther coach Kristin Wheatley. "We never found our grove. We'd have it for a few games and then lose it."

Seckman went on a run in the second inning with two back-to-back hits by Abby Hayden and Lindsay Schaefer, driving in three runs. 

In the third, the Jaguars showed their deep line-up with more than five hitters driving in runs. 

The Panthers, who struggled from the mound, made four pitching changes in three innings. 

Junior Michelle Boyer started off the game, and then switched with Amanda Lerbs. After Lerbs gave up four runs in the second, Jenna Parrott came in for the third inning and the Jaguars went on a run. Lerbs came back in to finish the game.

"All three are coming back next year," Wheatley said of the pitchers. "So we'll work over the summer. Physically, they know they can do it, it's just mental problems."

The Panthers suffered at the hand of senior Seckman pitcher Madi Leonard, who had six strikeouts in the game. 

The loss ended the Panthers' season at 5-16. But Wheatley is hopeful for next year, only losing one player to graduation. Catcher Whitney Banjai ends the season with a .321 batting average, 9 RBI and two home runs.

"We're not going to have to wait for the chemistry to come through next year," Wheatley said. "It should already be there. They'll have played one year together."