Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Pekin, WACO combine for 32 runs
Panthers drop season high 22 to roll past Warriors
WAYLAND — The runs were flying onto the board on Thursday night at WACO High School, as the Warriors hosted Pekin in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division clash.
Pekin eclipsed 20 runs to get its fourth conference win of the season, beating WACO 22-10 to finish off the regular season sweep.
The Panthers had built an 8-0 lead with four runs each in the first and second innings, but WACO battled back. The Warriors scored one run in the bottom of the second, and continued the rally with a seven-run third. The Warriors loaded the bases and scored run after run on wild pitches and a clutch RBI single by Kaylan Willits.
Pekin bounced right back from an 8-8 tie by scoring five runs in the top of the fourth. Alex Parsons and Myah Bainbridge each hada RBI doubles in the rally. Rylee Frye knocked one in on an RBI fielder’s choice. Isabelle Green had an RBI single, and Kenadie Long knocked in two with a single.
“The biggest thing was to just forget that inning and clear our heads and get going again,” said Pekin head coach Aaron Ledger. “Once we switched that inning and got going again, those bats came out and took off again.”
Long kicked off another huge inning for Pekin with a two-RBI single in the fifth inning, and that spearheaded an eight-run Panther fifth. WACO scored once in the bottom of the fifth, but that wasn’t enough to stop the 10-run mercy rule.
“We do a lot better when we're putting the bat on the ball,” Parsons said. “I think it just boosts our confidence.”
Ezra Parsons and Addison Smith both saw time in the circle for Pekin. Smith picked up the win.
WACO’s Rhiannon Horn was tagged with the loss. Just 10 of her 22 runs given up were earned.
Carlee Lunsford had a big game for the Warriors despite the loss. She went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Lizzy Gerot was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Pekin moved to 4-19 overall after a 22-1 loss to Louisa-Muscatine one night later. WACO is now 0-15.
