Panther softball swept in Keokuk

KEOKUK — Mt. Pleasant played in two tight contests at the Keokuk softball diamond on Monday night, but the Panthers couldn’t grab their first Southeast Conference win.

Keokuk held off Mt. Pleasant 5-3 in Game 1 and 6-2 in Game 2 to bump the Panthers to 0-5 in conference play.

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The Panthers trailed 3-0 after four innings of Game 1, but cut the lead to 3-1 with one run in the top of the fifth. After Keokuk plated one in the bottom half, Mt. Pleasant answered with two in the sixth to make it 4-3.

Keokuk was able to get one insurance run through in the bottom of the sixth, and Mt. Pleasant ran out of time, and outs, in a two-run loss.

Mt. Pleasant had just three hits against Keokuk ace Ada Wood, who struck out 16 Panthers in the game. Kynlee White, Abigail Shelangoski and Izzy Sloat all had singles.

Myah Starr had a nice outing for the Panthers. She threw six innings, giving up just five runs (three earned) on 11 hits and three walks, while striking out seven batters.

The Panthers had trouble coming back from an early 4-0 deficit in Game 2. Mt. Pleasant had eight hits in the game, but could never get back within striking distance after the first inning.

Paityn Ensminger was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles in the loss. Emma Starr went 2-for-4 with two singles. White, Shelangoski, Keagyn Coleman and Clark all had hits.

Chaley Cook threw all six innings for the Panthers. She gave up six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and three walks, while striking out one.

Mt. Pleasant is now 1-8 overall and 0-5 in the SEC. The Panthers will host Keokuk (4-4, 2-3) on Thursday night.