Softball Panthers fall to Auburn

(AUBURN) — The Pana Panthers softball team took a 3-1 lead into the fifth inning over Auburn on Tuesday afternoon, but couldn’t hold the home team in check as they scored 7 runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth to post a 9-3 win. It was the first loss of the season for the Panthers.

It was 2-2 after three innings and Pana pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth. Auburn struck for 4 runs in the bottom half, then 3 more in the bottom of the sixth to secure the win.

The Panthers banged out 11 hits, including a 2-run homer by Shelby Ashcraft.

Ashcraft was the losing pitcher going 5 innings. She gave up 11 hits with a strikeout and 2 walks. Joey Laker came in for relief, throwing 1 inning with 1 strikeout and giving up 2 hits.

Pana is 2-1 on the season and will host Hillsboro in a non-conference game Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.