The Park Hill South Panthers’ softball team had its season end in the opening round of the Class 5 District 8 tournament with a 7-4 loss to Staley at the host site Park Hill on Thursday, Oct. 17.
The Falcons, the home team, got two runs in the bottom of the first and two in the bottom of the second to build an early 4-0 lead. Senior Emalee Taylor got the start for South and was relieved by junior Maddie Smith in the third.
The Panthers rallied in the top half of the sixth inning, scoring three runs with runners at second and third when the last out of the inning was recorded. Staley loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning and was down to two outs when a drive was hit to deep left-center field. South left fielder Lala Ghude dove for the ball, catching it in her glove but the ball popped out when she crashed to the turf, clearing the bases for Staley.
Leadoff hitter senior Erin Stewart went 4 for 4, including two doubles with an RBI for the Panthers. Senior Bayli Middleton had two doubles, and Smith, sophomore Ella Purl, and freshman Maci Blake each were credited with runs driven in.