They say pitching and defense wins ballgames, well the Neosho Panthers and Crowder Roughriders took a different approach Tuesday afternoon. The two teams combined for 44 base runners and six errors, and the Panthers outlasted the Riders 14-12.
 
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first when David Bote tripled to drive in a pair of runs. Garrett Schaede would drive in another run with a sacrifice fly.
 
They would extend their lead in the third when Bote led off the inning with a double and later scored on Robbe Ewing's sacrifice fly.
 
The lead would grow to 7-0 after the Panthers scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth with three straight singles to start the inning.
 
Tyler Kjellsen got the start on the mound for the Panthers and danced around trouble for the first four innings, but things would catch up to him in the fifth when Crowder exploded four seven runs in the inning. Kjellsen's final line would be 4.2 innings pitched while allowing six runs, two of which were earned on eight hits. He also walked four and struck out two.
 
After giving up seven runs in the top of the fifth, the Panthers would answer right back with seven more of their own in the bottom half. They would record only four hits to score their runs, but also benefited on four Riders defensive errors. The fifth inning would see 25 hitters come to the plate and 14 runs were scored on 11 hits and five errors.
 
Kenny McKee would pick up the win in relief tossing 1.1 innings while allowing two runs on four hits while walking one and striking one out.
 
The Crowder bullpen would not allow a run after the fifth, but the Panthers would hold on for the win.
 
Max Ising threw the ninth for the Panthers to pick up his fifth save of the year allowing a run on one hit while striking out two.
 
David Bote led the way offensively for the Panthers going 2-4 at the plate with a pair of runs scored and three RBI's to go with a double and a triple.
 
Kas Sanders also had three RBI's and a two runs scored while going 2-4 at the plate while Garrett Schaede drove in a pair of runs on two hits.
 
The win makes the Panthers 35-13 overall and 18-10 in Jayhawk Conference play. They will be back in action Saturday when they host Jayhawk East Division leader Cowley College at 1:00pm. Saturday is Multi-Generational Day with activities beginning at 12:30pm.