Chanute, KS - The Neosho County Community College Panther softball team finally opened it's season Wednesday afternoon, nine days after the opener was originally scheduled.
The Panthers fell 3-2 in game one, but rebounded with a 10-6 game two victory to salvage the split with the visiting Monarchs. "The first game we just let a couple of plays get to us. I think it was partly due to first game nerves. I think our players were anxiously excited to compete and that lead to some overplay" said Panther Head Coach Kim Alexander.  "All in all it was not  a bad showing. We learned where we are at as a team and what needs to continue to improve." 
    In game one, after a scoreless first inning.  Neosho Sophomore Shelby Woods double and RBI single by Freshman Ashyln Riley drove in the game's first run for the Panthers. Maple Woods answered in the top of the third, and the score remained tied until the bottom of the fifth inning. Sophomore Saige Vandiver  led off the inning with a double and later was driven home on an RBI  groundout by freshman Libby Horton. However in the next inning, the Monarchs got a two-out, two-run homerun, putting the visitors in front 3-2. It was starting pitcher Abby Brickey's only mistake of the game.  "Abby threw well, but we just didn't have the sticks behind her." Alexander said.  "There were a couple big plays that we have to execute, that we didn't." Over the final two innings the Panthers were unable to get another baserunner. Luckily, that changed in game two for the Panthers. 
    Maple Woods jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Neosho did not panic and they were able to gain back momentum in the next two innings, until they took over the lead. The Panthers bats came alive in the bottom of the third inning. When the Panthers were trailing 4-2, freshman Sydnie McClelland highlighted the frame with a bases loaded triple. The Panthers also had hits from Horton, Wood and Vandiver that lead to five runs in the frame. The Panthers never trailed for the remainder of the game. Neosho padded the lead with three runs more in the fifth inning, which extended their lead to four runs.
Sophomore Pitcher Brickey picked up the save by shutting down Maple Wood in the final two innings.  "Abby came up huge for us at the end of game two." Alexander said "We bring her in with one out and runners at first and third, and she gets us out of the jam" Assistant Coach Allen added. Freshman Pitcher Mary Kate Hale picked up the win in game two.