Five-run rally lifts Panthers

The Panthers scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to turn a 5-2 deficit into a 7-5 victory over the visiting Cougars.

All five of Mannassas Park's runs came in the top of the third inning. One out was followed by an infield error, three walks, one batter that was hit by a pitch and a base hit to help the Cougars pile up a 5-0 lead.

Rappahannock came back in the fourth inning to score two runs. The Panthers then racked up five scores in the bottom of the sixth and shut out the Cougars in the top of the seventh to seal the victory.

Senior Crystal Heflin pitched the first two and one-third innings and junior Amanda Smoot finished the game for Rappahannock. Heflin struck out three batters, while Smoot fanned seven.

The Panthers had a total of eight hits in the game. Junior shortstop Emily Carter led Rappahannock at the plate with two singles. Laura Caperton, Hanna Kopjanski and Heflin each had a double. Noel Johns, Natalie Tupper and Smoot each had one single.

The win lifted Rappahannock's overall record to 4-7 and district record to 1-3. The Panthers are scheduled to play at 7 p.m. Friday at Strasburg, and at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Madison County.

E-mail the reporter at kallen@timespapers.com.