Panthers use 15 hits to spark 15-5 rout

     Marion Goeden wasn’t sure what to expect from the Park Rapids fastpitch softball team offensively this season.

     The season opener may have provided some answers.

     Ten different players contributed a hit as a 15-hit attack sparked a 15-5 five-inning victory over Bagley Thursday afternoon. Park Rapids also capitalized on eight Bagley errors and six walks to coast to the win.

     The Panthers strung together seven hits in scoring six runs in the second inning to take control. Singles by Carly Waggoner and Sydney Bynum started the inning. With two outs, a single by Tara Johanning, a walk by Kendra Anderson, a triple by Sarena Kinkel, a double by Hope Johnson, and singles by Macky Warne and Brooke Jerger gave Park Rapids the early lead.

     After Bagley scored a run in the third, the Panthers countered with five runs in the bottom of the inning to claim an 11-1 lead. Bynum walked before Nikki Eischens and Johanning were safe on bunts. An RBI double by Anderson, a single by Kinkel and a run-scoring grounder by Macky capped off the inning.

     Three hits led to two Bagley runs in the fourth before the Panthers matched those two runs on a single by Waggoner, a walk to Bynum and an RBI single by Caitlin Brumbaugh.

     Three more hits led to Bagley’s final two runs in the fifth before the Panthers scored the game’s final two runs in the bottom of that inning. A triple by Jerger, walks to Waggoner and Bynum, and an error ended the game early via the 10-run rule.

     Kinkel went 3 for 4 with two runs, Warne and Jerger both went 2 for 4, and Waggoner went 2 for 4 with three runs to lead the Panthers’ offense. Bynum scored three times while Johanning and Lexi Hinkley-Smith scored two runs apiece. Johanning added three RBI.

     Warne went the distance, scattering 10 hits and striking out nine without allowing a walk for the win.

     “I was especially pleased with the pitching and very pleased with the baserunning. We executed as we have practiced. Our bats were also an unknown that came through,” said Goeden. “Overall it was a great opener for us, especially with the gale force winds we endured.”

Bagley                      001  22…5  10  8

Park Rapids              065  22…15  15  2

Player               AB     R    H      RBI

Kinkel                 4      2    3      1

Johnson              3      1    1      1

Hensel                0      0    0      0

Warne                4      0    2      1

Jerger                4      1    2      1

Waggoner          4      3    2      0

Bynum                1      3    1      0

Eischens              2      1    1      0

Brumbaugh        2      0    1      2

Johanning           3      2    1      3

Anderson            1      0    1      1

Hinkley-Smith      0      2    0      1

Girtz                  0      0    0      0

Totals                28    15   15    11

Fultz and Carlson; Warne (5IP, 5R, 3ER, 10H, 0BB, 9K) and Johanning. W-Warne, 1-0. L-Fultz. 2B: Johnson 1, Anderson 1. 3B: Kinkel 1, Jerger 1. SB: Bynum 1, Johanning 1, Hinkley-Smith 2.