Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CHANUTE, Kan. – The Neosho Panthers dropped their opening game to No. 3 Johnson County 2-1 before bouncing back to take game two 6-3 in the final regular season home game of the year. The win is the Panthers first over a ranked opponent since beating No. 10 Labette 3-2 on April 10, 2012.
 
Meaghan Thompson (6-4) was the tough luck loser in game one. Thompson scattered 11 hits over 7.0 innings while allowing 2 runs and walking 1 and striking 1 out.
 
After Johnson County got on the board with a run in the second, Neosho answered with a run of their own in the third. Neither team would be able to push anything across until the Cavaliers finally added a run with two outs in the sixth to take a 2-1 lead.
 
The Panthers would get the tying run on base in the seventh, but they would not be able to tie the game as Tiara Ewy flew out to end the ballgame.
 
Game two would see the Panthers jump out to a quick lead as the scored a pair of runs in the first and added four more in the second.
 
Krissy Crow (5-8) was masterful in the circle for the Panthers as she kept the Cavaliers off balance all game. Crow allowed 3 runs over 7.0 innings of work by scattering 8 hits and a pair of walks while striking out 5 to earn the win.
 
The Cavaliers tried to mount a comeback in the seventh inning after a single and a homerun to open the frame. Crow would bounce back and get a pair of flyouts and a strikeout to give the Panthers with win.
 
Neosho improves to 18-23, 14-14 Region VI. The split with the Cavaliers sets up a crucial double header with Kansas City Kansas Community College. The Panthers currently sit in 10^th in the Region VI standings, two games behind KCK. A sweep by the Panthers Wednesday would give the Panthers the 8^th spot in the final standings and secure a home playoff game.