Girls Prep Softball: Lady Panthers keep firm grip on invitational title

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[For the second straight year, Pinckneyville Community High School's girls softball team has kept the Panther Invitational Tournament title at home.

Late Saturday night, the Lady Panthers completed a four-game sweep of the 2010 event with an 8-4 win over Lebanon.

PCHS defeated West Frankfort (8-1), Altamont (8-1) and Wauconda (10-3) to reach the final round.

"I really have to compliment our team on winning this championship," Lady Panthers coach Greg Hale said. "We have won this thing two years in a row against some top-notch competition."

Mo Ramsey ended the two-day tourney by going 10-for-12 at the plate with three home runs and 11 RBI.

Ramsey hit a two-run shot in the win over West Frankfort Friday and then adding three doubles and four RBI as PCHS rolled past Altamont.

Three more hits-and four RBI-came off Ramsey's bat in a six-inning win over Wauconda.

Against Lebanon and all-state pitcher Paige Washington, Ramsey tied the contest at 2-2 in the fourth with another home run and then went again for good a frame later as Ramsey belted an opposite field home run for two more RBI.

In the final, Maddy Keith was 3-for-4 at the plate with Emily Miller adding two hits.

Also during the tourney, Lady Panthers enjoying multi-hit games were: Taylor Cicardi, Sheristy Stanton, Kelsey Cicardi, Kortney Crawford and Emily Chapman.

Sara Malanowski won twice in the pitchers circle with Chapman and K. Cicardi adding wins.

"I have mentioned only a few of our players but it is a total team effort," said Hale. "All had a part in this tournament championship. Its a great start to the early season."

Now 8-0, PCHS plays at Trico Monday.

Columbia won third place with an 11-10 win over Wauconda.

Cobden took the consolation trophy, beating Vienna 8-4.