Pitching, timely hitting carry Panthers to win

PACKWOOD ? Maleaha Earnest darted home from third base on an errant throw to score the winning run Wednesday, lifting the Pekin softball team past New London 4-3.

Earnest found herself in position for the winning score as the courtesy runner for Madelyn Baker, who singled to start the final frame. A steal of second base and infield single by Cheyann Lankford advanced Earnest to third base before the New London error sent her home.

Pekin and New London had identical line scores until Earnest scored in the seventh. Both teams put up one run in the first inning and another two in the fourth frame.

With a few timely hits and solid pitching, the Panthers won using the same formula they used in a 5-3 win over WACO Tuesday.

?[Starter Leslie Stone] is doing a good job, and with timely hitting it was the same scenario as last night,? said Pekin head coach Bryan Marlay. ?Stone controlled the ball game, worked ahead in the count and got a lot of ground balls.?

Except for the fourth inning, when two unearned runs crossed the plate for New London, the Panther defense played at an efficient rate, as well. Two errors were charged to the Panthers in the game.

Stone pitched all seven innings and inched closer to 20 wins with her 18th victory of the season. The junior gave up three hits, issued two free passes and punched out four batters.

Madelyn Baker led all Panther hitters with two base knocks, Maranda Baker smacked an RBI-double, Brittany Gillam had one RBI and Earnest scored twice.

Pekin (20-11, 11-5 SEISC north) hosts IMS today.

Pekin vs. New London

New London ? 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 ? 3 3 3

Pekin ? 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 ? 4 6 2

PEKIN ? Mad. Baker 2-3; Mar. Baker 1-3, 2B, RBI; Davis 1-3, R; Gillam 1-3, RBI; Lankford 1-4; Earnest 2R; Millikin R

Pitching ? Stone (W, 18-10) 7 INN, 3R, ER, 3H, 4K, 2BB