Panthers win big in Series debut

By Dustin Kent

Published: July 19, 2008

The Panhandle Panthers 12U squad won big in their World Series opener Saturday night in Moody, Ala., beating Senatobia, Miss. 12-2 in four innings.

Panhandle had been experiencing struggles recently at the plate, but Saturday was a completely different story.

The Panthers collected 10 hits for their 12 runs, including a lead-off home run by Grant McDonald in the first inning.

“We got our bats out of the closet, that’s for sure,” Panthers coach Allen Childs said after the game. “We came out very aggressive at the plate. The home run by McDonald set the tone and we just jumped on them.”

The Panthers scored two runs in the first inning and five in the second to storm out of the gates strong.

Hunter Jordan drove in three runs on the night and Josh Taylor knocked home two.

McDonald, Dillon Bennett, Hunter Johnson, Trent Moats and Miles Edwards also had an RBI.

“Everyone contributed at the plate, moving runners over, hitting with runners in scoring position,” Childs said. “We just hit the ball very well. That’s what we have to do to continue to advance.”

Dillon Bennett started on the mound for Panhandle and pitched two scoreless innings, striking out five.

McDonald and Payton Dixon combined to close the game.

The win sets up a rematch today with Northwest St. Petersburg, the team that narrowly defeated the Panthers in the state title game.

It’s a game that Childs said he hoped would happen later in the tournament, rather than sooner.

“I didn’t want to play them in first two days, but I don’t feel like they wanted to play us so early either,” Childs said. “Neither one of us is looking forward to it. Whoever is in the winners’ bracket definitely will have an easier road to go.”

Dixon will start the game on the mound for Panhandle.