5.22.17 PARKWAY WINS DISTRICT TITLE, ON TO REGIONALS
We had to wait a little longer due to the rain this past Friday, but that nasty taste from last years district finals game is now gone. The lady panthers sent the message early and often, they would not be denied a sectional title. Haley Hawk made quick work of the wildcats in the top of the first inning and then Parkway went to work. Macy Henkle got the panther offense going and it kept rolling as Parkway took a 4-0 lead after one inning. They continued the offensive show in the second inning, highlighted by another Haley Hawk homerun. That put the panthers up 7-0 and were well in control. Minster finally got on the scoreboard, plating one run in the third inning. The panthers answered that with two runs of their own, pushing the score to 9-1. Both teams continued to score in the final innings, but the Parkway hitting continues to be stellar. The wildcats had issues all day on the defensive side of the ball, committing 8 errors throughout the game. On several occasions, panther base runners were aware as Minster would lazily throw the ball to the infield. The runner never stopping and catching the wildcats off guard for extra bases and even scoring. Parkway plated three runs in the sixth inning for a 13-4 advantage, but needed just one more run to run rule Minster. The panthers defense was stellar tonight also, with crisp throws to first and diving stops by several of the infielders. With the victory, the lady panthers move to 22-1 on the season. They will face Williamsburg in the regional semi-final at Greenville.
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5.16.17 15-0 VICTORY SENDS PARKWAY TO DISTRICT FINALS
What a beautiful day for softball, we could finally leave that hoodie at home and bask in the sunshine while watching the lady panthers pick up a victory. The panthers were certainly ready for this game, they scored early and often en route to a spot in the district finals. The panthers were the home team, so they took the field first. The lady bulldogs came ready to play and had runners on the bases in the first inning. That may have given them a false sense of hope against Parkway, because the panthers flat out shut them down. Parkway quickly got two outs in the bottom half of the first inning, but then it was rally time. Parkway worked through the entire batting order as they plated six runs. A stunned Ada group headed to the dugout down 6-0. With panther ace Haley Hawk working her magic from the circle, she had the bulldog batters guessing every pitch. Parkway went up 11-0 after just three innings and by the fifth inning, the lady panthers had built a 15-0 advantage. One of the many offensive highlights for the panthers was a blast from Haley Hawk over the 230' centerfield fence. We also had several stellar defensive throws from Bailey Strickler, Alex Slusher and Bailey Bates. The ladies move to 21-1 as they will play the winner of the Minster/New Bremen game for the district title on Friday evening.
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5.11.17 PANTHERS WIN SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 9-0
The ladies were focused and ready to get their journey started down the tournament trail. They took that first step by winning a sectional title versus the Lima Central Catholic thunderbirds. With Haley Hawk in the circle and firing on all cylinders, the host panthers quickly took control of the game. After just one inning the lady panthers were on top with a 4-0 advantage. Throughout the game Parkway kept increasing the score by small amounts, that led to the eventual 9-0 winning score. The panthers offense was solid and patient at the plate today, making the LCC pitcher really work. On the defensive side, the lady panthers were on point with every play. The lady t-birds scattered a few hits in the game, but they never threatened to score at any point. Parkway moves to 20-1 on the season with the sectional final victory. They will face the winner of the Ada/Spencerville game on Tuesday the 16th at Wapak.
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5.9.17 2017 M.A.C. CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN ROCKFORD
Parkway had already earned a share of the league title, but they wanted to win it outright. Being that it was also senior night, how fitting that it was senior Alex Slusher that blasted a shot over the center field fence to put the panthers on the board. Macy Henkle led off with a single and with a nice bunt by Kenzie Sipe, moved her into scoring position. Slusher then connected for the two run homer for the Parkway lead. The score stayed at 2-0 until the panther bats got rolling again in the bottom of the fifth inning. Parkway plated three more runs and after five innings in the books, Parkway had a 5-0 lead. Minster did manage a run in the sixth inning, but that was all the panther defense allowed. Parkway wins the M.A.C. with a 7-0 record and finish the regular season with a 19-1 record.
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5.7.17 LADY PANTHERS DOWN YELLOWJACKETS & REDSKINS
Finally the ladies got back on the field after a week full of rain. Parkway made the most of it with a 7-5 win over The Sidney yellow jackets and a blasting of the Ft. Loramie redskins 17-6 in the second game. Parkway jumped out to a 7-2 lead against Sidney and looked to have to game well in hand. The yellow jackets rallied in the final two innings, scoring runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. After pulling to within two runs at 7-5, the panthers shutdown the rally to win the game 7-2. Haley Hawk pitched most of the game as Lauren Henderson came in in relief.
In the second game of the day, Parkway scored early and often en route to a blasting of the lady redskins. Lauren Henderson was in the circle for the panthers, she pitched pretty well after having pitched a couple innings prior to this game. The redskins started the game by taking a 1-0 lead midway through the first inning, that wouldn't last for long though. The panther bats erupted for nine runs in the first inning for a panthers 9-1 lead after just one inning. It was all downhill from there for the Ft. Loramie squad. They did have one bright spot, a three run homer that pushed their score to six runs. The Parkway machine just kept rolling along, even as the panther bench took their spots on the field, Parkway didn't skip a beat. After a good day from the circle for Henderson, Macy Henkle finished out the final few innings. She showed well in her first appearance of the season as Parkway finished the game with a 17-6 pounding of the lady redskins. Parkway moves to 18-3 as they will finish the M.A.C. season on Tuesday versus the Minster wildcats.
In the second game of the day, Parkway scored early and often en route to a blasting of the lady redskins. Lauren Henderson was in the circle for the panthers, she pitched pretty well after having pitched a couple innings prior to this game. The redskins started the game by taking a 1-0 lead midway through the first inning, that wouldn't last for long though. The panther bats erupted for nine runs in the first inning for a panthers 9-1 lead after just one inning. It was all downhill from there for the Ft. Loramie squad. They did have one bright spot, a three run homer that pushed their score to six runs. The Parkway machine just kept rolling along, even as the panther bench took their spots on the field, Parkway didn't skip a beat. After a good day from the circle for Henderson, Macy Henkle finished out the final few innings. She showed well in her first appearance of the season as Parkway finished the game with a 17-6 pounding of the lady redskins. Parkway moves to 18-3 as they will finish the M.A.C. season on Tuesday versus the Minster wildcats.
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5.3.17. LADY PANTHERS WIN SHARE OF M.A.C. TITLE WITH VICTORY
After last nights blowout of a very good New Bremen team, the ladies were at home to take on the St. Henry redskins. The lady panthers did just enough to get the victory and at least a share of the Midwest Athletic Conference title. St. Henry got the scoring started in the first inning and held a 1-0 lead through the second stanza. Parkway answered back and tied the score at 1-1 in the second inning. Neither squad could get anything going until the bottom of the fifth inning. The lady panthers got the offense rolling for four runs and a 5-1 advantage. Those pesky redskins just wouldn't go away, they answered right back, making it a 5-2 game. After a single to put a runner on, St. Henry blasted a 2 run homer to make the score 5-4 after 6 1/2 innings. The visitors held Parkway in the bottom of the sixth and we headed to the seventh with the panthers holding a one run lead. With Haley Hawk pitching, the lady panthers defense was spot on and shut down any thought of a redskins rally. Parkway moves to 16-1 on the season and 6-0 in the M.A.C. The lady panthers will be in action next on Friday against Paulding.
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5.2.17 SOLID DEFENSE, PITCHING AND HITTING PUT PANTHERS IN FIRST PLACE
What a matchup, the top two teams in the Midwest Athletic Conference. Parkway comes in ranked #4 and the host cardinals were ranked at the #7 spot. Parkway got the game started with two runs in the first inning, but the lady cards cut that to 2-1 in their half of the inning. Both teams had their #1 pitchers in the circle, but as the game played out...... it was Haley Hawk going the distance and notching the victory. Haley wasn't just stellar in the circle, she had a monster day at the plate. In the fourth inning she made it an 8-1 game with a three run blast over the center field fence. The lady panthers added a couple more runs in the fifth inning and after five complete, parkway held a commanding 10-2 lead. The visiting panthers were sending the message loud and clear who was the better team. They weren't done flexing their muscles though. The panthers went on a tear in the sixth inning, led by a Macy Henkle two run homerun and Haley Hawk blasted her second homer of the game. All totaled, the ladies plated ten runs in their half of the sixth inning. Now with a 20-2 advantage, Haley finished out the cardinal side in the sixth to seal the parkway victory and spot atop the league standings. The ladies are now 15-1 and will face St. Henry tomorrow.
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4.15.17 PARKWAY DERAILS ROADERS & CUTS DOWN RAIDERS
What a beautiful day it was, the Parkway bats got heated up and the lady panthers came home with a 7-1 record. In the first contest of the day, the panthers were matched up with the Russia raiders. Loren Henderson started the game and had a nice outing in five innings, Haley Hawk finished out the game from the circle. Parkway jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning after some timely hitting. The panthers held that advantage until the fourth inning when they scored seven more runs. In the bottom half of the fourth inning the raiders countered with a run of their own, making it a 10-1 game. Parkway was in position to employ the run rule with another run, they were able to plate another run in the top of the fifth. Now up 11-1, all they needed was three outs. Parkway got two quick outs, Russia hit a deep fly ball that was mis-judged and that was the start of a four run rally that made it 11-5. The lady raiders added another run in the bottom of the seventh inning to no avail. The panthers won the game by a final score of 11-6, pushing their record to 6-1.
Parkway didn't waste any time getting heated up, both Macy Henkle and McKenzie Sipe crossed the plate on a double by Alex Slusher. Haley Hawk collected another r.b.i. when Slusher crossed the plate on a double by Hawk. The lady panthers scored three runs in the first inning. In the third stanza, the railroaders got a spark going and they made it a 3-1 game. Just like in the second inning, nobody scored in the fourth. The fifth inning was monsterous for the lady panthers, they scored 13 runs in the inning. The rally started with Slusher leading off with a single. Then Haley Hawk crushed a ball deep over the center field fence for her third homer of the season. From that point the Parkway bats were red hot as they worked through the batting order several times. With a 16-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, Haley Hawk had one heck of a cushion. She didn't need it though, she worked her wizardry from the circle just as she had all day. The railroaders were derailed as the panthers went 2-0 on the afternoon.
Parkway didn't waste any time getting heated up, both Macy Henkle and McKenzie Sipe crossed the plate on a double by Alex Slusher. Haley Hawk collected another r.b.i. when Slusher crossed the plate on a double by Hawk. The lady panthers scored three runs in the first inning. In the third stanza, the railroaders got a spark going and they made it a 3-1 game. Just like in the second inning, nobody scored in the fourth. The fifth inning was monsterous for the lady panthers, they scored 13 runs in the inning. The rally started with Slusher leading off with a single. Then Haley Hawk crushed a ball deep over the center field fence for her third homer of the season. From that point the Parkway bats were red hot as they worked through the batting order several times. With a 16-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, Haley Hawk had one heck of a cushion. She didn't need it though, she worked her wizardry from the circle just as she had all day. The railroaders were derailed as the panthers went 2-0 on the afternoon.
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4.13.17 PANTHERS WIN IN BATTLE OF M.A.C. HEAVY WEIGHTS
It was a battle of two heavy weights in the MAC at Versailles on Thursday evening. The home tigers were ready fired up and ready to play. The Parkway bats were sent down in order in the first inning, but Versailles took a 1-0 lead after one inning. The panther offense got rolling in the second and took s 2-1 lead that they wouldn't relinquish. Pitching for both squads settled down and we didn't have any scoring until the top of the fifth inning. Macy Henkle ran out the throw to land on first base. That's when Haley Hawk crushed a home run over the center field fence, pushing the score to 4-1 in the panthers favor. The lady tigers are not going to go away that easily though. In their half of the inning, they rallied and plated two runs of their own. With just two inning left, we had a 4-4 tie game. The fans were treated to several stellar defensive plays by both teams, but one of the games best would come in the bottom of the final inning. Inning seven saw the lady panthers mount a 4 run rally that gave them an 8-4 lead. Hawk and Bailey Bates both had an r.b.i., while Alex Slusher had two r.b.i.'s during the seventh inning offensive push. Once again the lady tigers had a rally of their own, with some nice hitting they loaded the bases up and didn't have an out. It wasn't looking to good for the visitors. That is when Haley Hawk made the best defensive play of the game, it was a real game changer. The batter smashed to ball right back at Haley head, she caught the ball, turned and threw the runner out that was leading off at second base. Double play, they panthers were back in business. The next pitch was a liner to Slusher and she threw to Lauren Henderson at first to record the final out. What an entertaining game and a battle from both teams. Parkway moves to 5-1 on the season and travel south to Bradford on Saturday.
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4.9.17 WITH TWO VICTORIES, MR. "E" GETS WIN# 500
Parkway started the day honoring the 1997 team who were the first panthers to make it to state. It was a big day for the lady panthers and coach "E". Parkway got the day started with a big 11-5 victory over an always tough Archbold team. Archbold drew first blood, but Parkway answered right back and we were tied at one after just one inning. Both squads settled down in the second inning. The third inning brought some joy to the panther faithful. Alex Slusher poked a single to land her on first base just waiting to advance. Haley Hawk didn't let her stay there for long, three pitches in and she connected for a home run over the left field fence. The panthers were now on top with a 3-1 lead. Archbold got some offense going and they tied it up in the top of the fifth inning.With just 2 1/2 innings left we had a new ballgame tied a four runs each. Parkway answered right back once again, plating tree more runs and pushing their lead back to 3runs and a score of 7-3. Hawk got stronger in the circle as the game went on and had Archbold confused. The lady panthers didn't sit on that lead, they kept digging and the bats exploded for six more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the home team holding an 11-4 lead, Archbold had one last chance for a comeback. They were able to plate one run, but then Haley shut the door! Parkway gets an 11-5 victory, moving them to 3-1. All the ladies had a good day at the plate, but a couple stick out to me. Bailey Strickler reached base on every at bat, Haley Hawk got that initial round trip of the season. There were many plays that made such a big difference in the game, that weren't a hit or were an out. Several bunts that moved runners into scoring position and a baserunner that stopped, froze the shortstop just long enough for the batter to make it to first. This was truly an all out effort for win # 499. Unfortunately i was not able to witness the historic # 500 th victory for Coach "E". I'm told that it was another good game played by your lady panthers. The win was even sweeter since the knights have avoided play us the last few years. Parkway finished the doubleheader day with a 6-3 win over Crestview and now stand at 4-1 on the season. Congrats on # 500 Coach "E", after 31 seasons you've earned it!
4.3.17. LADY PANTHERS SHOOT DOWN ANTWERP ARCHERS
After a tough loss on Saturday that saw Parkway fall to Wapak, the ladies bounced back today with a nice win. The archers of Antwerp were visiting and came ready to play. Lauren Henderson was in the circle for Parkway and had no trouble with the first batter. It was the second one that opened the scoring with a home run over the center field fence. The lady archers then added another run to make it 2-0 in the top of the first inning. The panther bats answered right back in the bottom half of the first inning and we went to the second inning all tied at two apiece. Henderson settled in as the game progressed. Both squads scattered hits throughout the middle innings, but nobody pushed across the plate until the sixth inning. With the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the panther bats came alive once more and pushed two runs across to make it a 4-2 advantage for the home team. Henderson did well on the mound and Haley Hawk kept the archers at bay to get the victory. Parkway moves to 2-1 on the season as they will travel to Elida on Thursday for a contest with the lady bulldogs.
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4.1.17. LADY REDSKINS DROP PARKWAY 7-2
This was to be the first full week of the softball season, but mother nature didn't get the memo. The ladies didn't get on the field until Saturday for a game versus the lady redskins from Wapak. They only played one game and it was moved to Rockford. It turned out to be a rough day for the lady panthers as they took the loss to a very good squad. The redskins took advantage of what the panthers gave them. Haley Hawk gave up three earned runs, unfortunately two were back to back home runs. Alisa Gray also took one deep for the panthers. Wapak came away with a 7-2 victory and the panthers move to 1-1 on the season. Parkway will host Antwerp on monday afternoon.
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3.24.17. PANTHERS OPEN SEASON WITH 10-1 WIN OVER HOUSTON
The Parkway Lady Panthers softball team is primed and ready for big success. Although Alexis Bickle is not physically with the team, her spirit fills the entire dugout. The ladies have dedicated this season to her and it promises to be a magical ride. The journey began saturday at Houston with a big victory as the lady panthers scored early and often. Garnering three runs in the first inning and the panthers had set the tone for the day. With Haley Hawk in the circle and firing bullets, Parkway gradually built a 4-0 lead. But with one pitch it was a 4-1 game as the wildcats went yard, that would be the only scoring they would do for the day. Haley quickly regrouped and finished the inning. By the fourth inning the panthers had built a 10-1 advantage and were in complete control. In the relief effort, Lauren Henderson showed just how much she has improved. She had good command and sent several wildcats back to the dugout shaking their heads. The Parkway bench was also successful, but just couldn't get a run across the plate. The contest went a full seven innings with Parkway getting the 10-0 victory to start the season.
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