The Paulding Panthers win the 2016 District Championship Game against Allen East! More pictures at westbendnews.net
The Lady Panthers have had a good season this year but not extraordinary. This tournament run for the Paulding team has been incredible. The tournament has literally been turned upside down. The two teams making it to the final game were seeded at 5th and 6th. What happened to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th? Unexpectedly they were all defeated in the run up to the final.
The game started with Allen East being on fire and scoring 3 runs in the top of the first inning. The home team fans were wondering what kind of game this would be. Paulding’s Audrey Manz continued through all seven innings, keeping up the pressure on the Mustangs. Even though she had less strikeouts than the Allen East Pitchers, she pitched well and had her team work together to get the outs needed.
Audrey Manz
The Lady Panthers retaliate in the bottom of the first with 3 runs: One each by Kelsey Beck, Audrey Manz, and Kristen Schilt. It revived the whole team’s demeanor after the top, and the inning ended 3-3. Neither team scored in the 2nd inning with 3 easy outs for the Panthers.
Watching the game, I noticed the Lady Panthers have really come along way in team work. Throughout this match the throws were placed well and the receivers were right on top in real solid play.
By the bottom of the third inning Paulding was still tied until there were four runs that came in – Audrey Manz, Haylee Dominique, Ashlynn Rice and Mya Andrews—A Fantastic inning!
By the fourth inning the Mustangs were struggling to compose after shooting blanks and by the bottom they changed pitchers once again. Paulding back in the dugout brought in two more runs in this fourth – Kelsey Beck and Audrey Manz. Coach Matt Carr has really put together a strong lineup this season even though the record does not look perfect.
The fifth inning the Mustangs revived with a three run homer by Kylie Wyss, bringing the score to 9-6. This was probably the only thing that kept the game from not ending at the end of the fifth. Paulding comes back with a strong message with Asia Arellano on base and Kelsey Beck driving the ball over the center fielder’s head and on over the fence, adding two more points, making the score 11-6. This was the last inning with points. The sixth inning was rather uneventful with the Beck and Manz really keeping a hold of the ball and getting outs at first and second with Karissa Lucas assisting these. The final out in the top of the 7th inning was a center field catch by Stephiane Trausch.
Freshman Mya Andrews gets 2 hits and 1 run for the Lady Panthers. More pictures at westbendews.net.
This is the first time since 1994 that Paulding Softball has made an appearance at the District Championship and this year they won! Great job to these girls.
The location of the Regionals game between Paulding and Archbold has been moved to Findlay High School on Wednesday, May 25 with a 5:00 start. Archbold is the home team.
Paulding runs: Kelsey Beck (3); Audrey Manz (3); Kristen Schilt (1); Ashlynn Rice (1); Mya Andrews (1); Asia Arellano (1); Kamdyn Etzler (1);
Paulding Hits: Kelsey Beck (2); Audrey Manz (3); Haylee Dominique (1); Kristen Schilt (3); Darian Andrews (1); Mya Andrews (2); Asia Arellano (1);
Paulding RBI’s: Kelsey Beck (2); Audrey Manz (2); Haylee Dominique (1); Kristen Schilt (2); Mya Andrews (2)
