SOFTBALL: Lady Panthers put an end to skid
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[After seven straight grueling losses since their last victory on April 14 against Anna-Jonesboro, Pinckneyville softball finally saw things fall the other way on Thursday afternoon at home against Carbondale.
Emily Chapman (7-4) shut down the Lady Terriers, striking out ten batters and allowing only two hits as PCHS edged Carbondale 2-1, scoring the go-ahead run on an error in the bottom of the seventh inning.
With their defense and pitching looking back in form, it would appear that the only thing left for the Lady Panthers to remedy is their performance at the plate. Pinckneyville connected for just five singles on Thursday, two by third baseman Mo Ramsey (2-3).
Taylor Cheek, Dani Jenkel and Taylor Cicardi had the other PCHS base hits.
All-state centerfielder Kortney Crawford, cleared to play on Wednesday after recovering from an ACL tear during basketball season, was held out of the lineup as she continues to work her way back to being game-ready.
"(Her physicians) want us to bring her along slowly," said Panthers' head softball coach Mike Cheek, "have her D.P. (designated player) a bit, see how she runs, and we'll work her in gradually."
Cheek added that a pinch-hit appearance for Crawford at Woodlawn on Friday was a possibility.
The Lady Panthers (16-9) hope build on Thursday's victory when they face the Lady Cardinals on Friday at 4:30 p.m.