Home runs not enough for Pekin in postseason loss

IOWA CITY — The Pekin Panthers seniors refused to go out easy.

Seniors Taylor Parmenter, Hannah Lucas, Erika Coleman, Allison Bainbridge and Emi Zook played their last softball game Wednesday in the Class 2A postseason.

Despite home runs from Bainbridge and freshman Alex Parsons, the Panthers lost 5-3 to 14th-ranked Iowa City Regina (18-12 record).

Brooke Miller gave up seven hits to the Regals without walking any. She did hit the first Regina batter of the game with a pitch, and Regina took a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Bainbridge blasted a solo shot over the fence in the third inning to get Pekin within 2-1. A fifth inning 2-run home run by Regina was a “gut punch,” said Pekin head coach Shelby Atwood. “I am so proud of the girls. They all played with their hearts.”

Freshman Parsons connected on a two-run bomb in the seventh inning. Zook had two singles, Coleman one and Parmenter had a double.

Pekin ends its year at 9-18.