Panthers dominate at the plate in win over Loachapoka

Published 8:06 pm Thursday, March 14, 2024

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The Lanett Panthers had it going at the plate on Thursday night as they downed Loachapoka 16-8 at home. 

Lanett finished the game against the Indians on Thursday with 15 hits, and the Panthers were able to erase an early deficit to earn the victory.

Loachapoka got the scoring started in the game after an RBI double, and a passed ball allowed the Indians to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. 

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Lanett quickly struck back in the bottom of the first inning as Lorenzo Truitt drove in Micah Strickland with a double. The Panthers tied the game at two during the next at-bat as Braylon Chambers stole home. 

Loachapoka took the lead back in the top of the second inning before the Panthers took control of the game in the bottom of the third. Chambers gave Lanett the lead as he drove in two runners with a single. 

The Panthers piled it on from there. Nashawn Sands put Lanett up 6-3 with a two-RBI single in the bottom of the third inning. TJ Tucker then laced a double into left field to add two more runs. Strickland drove in a double to score Tucker and give the Panthers a 10-3 lead. 

Strickland scored on a passed ball in the same inning, and the Panthers scored again as Truitt drove in a run on a single. The last run of the inning came as Sands doubled to score Truitt and give the Panthers a 13-3 lead. 

The Panthers continued adding to their dominant lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as another run scored on a passed ball. Then, Strickland drove in another run on a single. The Panthers added their final run as Strickland stole home. 

The Indians continued fighting in the final half inning as Loachapoka scored three runs before Fred Broughton struck out the final batter. 

Tucker, Strickland and Truitt were phenomenal at the plate for Lanett as all three players logged three hits and combined for seven RBIs. 

Chambers started the game on the mound for Lanett and allowed three earned runs, three walks, two hits and struck out eight batters in three innings. Broughton relieved Chambers and allowed four earned runs and struck out five batters in two innings. 

The Panthers have been electric to start the season as they currently sit at 3-0. Up next for Lanett is a matchup at home against Beulah on March 22.