The Panthers four game undefeated streak to start the 2010 season was ended by the potent bats from Knights Corner in a 6-1 loss. Knights lead off hitter Rob Vitullo lead off the game with a single, but was quickly erased from the base paths by a double play turned by #17 Matt Martiniello and #99 Shawn Donnelly. Shutting down the Knights in the top of the first the Panthers looked to take an early lead. They did just that as clean up hitter #13 Brandon Rogers launched a 2 out triple to left center field scoring the first run of the game (#17 Matt Martiniello), and putting the Panthers up 1-0 early. The lead was short lived as the Knights scratched a run across the plate in their next at bats with a single, sac bunt and RBI double.
With the score tied up at 1-1 the Panthers bats seemed to fall asleep only managing five hits scattered over the last six at bats of the game. The biggest threat coming in the bottom of the seventh with a single by #57 Ryan Jones and double by #7 Adam Northern that put two runners in scoring position. That was as close as the Panthers would come to getting another run on the board as the Knights pitching came through and shut down the remaining hitters to preserve the 6-1 victory.
The Knights red hot bats were overpowering the Panthers pitchers as they gave up a season high 6 runs on more than a few hard hit balls scattered across the field. The biggest blow coming in the fourth inning when the Knight pushed across 3 runs taking a 5-1 lead that they would never look back upon. Settling down in the last two innings the Panthers defense held the Knights off the board despite giving up three hits and two walks. The defense finished on a high note as #13 Brandon Rogers, on a line drive caught in left field doubled off the runner on second base to end the top of the 7th inning.
Looking to rebound after their first loss of the season the Panthers will face off against the 2-3-1 Sting in their next contest.
Player(s) of the game: #13 Brandon Rogers & #17 Matt Martiniello