PCHS SOFTBALL: Second SIRR Loss for Lady Panthers

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Veteran Pinckneyville Community High School Girls Softball coach Greg Hale didn't mince words when describing Monday's extra-inning loss to Sparta.

The Lady Panthers (20-5) dropped back into a first place tie in River-to-River Conference, Mississippi Division play following the 2-1 setback.

PCHS is 6-2 in league and shares the top spot with Wednesday's road opponent, Anna-Jonesboro.

Tuesday at 4:30, the Lady Panthers host Nashville. A busy week continues Thursday vs. Marion.

"We played like we hadn't played in a week," said Hale. "We left too many runners on base and failed to hit in key situations."

Pinckneyville lost despite the nine strikeout and five-hit pitching of Sara Malanowski as Sparta scored the deciding run in the eighth.

PCHS' only marker came on the third when Mo Ramsey stroked an RBI single.

Ramsey, Nicole Cheek, Mandi Kellerman (double), Dani Jenkel and Maddy Keith (double) managed hits for Pinckneyville.

Sparta 2, PCHS 1

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PCHS ````001 000 00-1 5 3

Sroka and Martin. Malanowski and Cheek. TOP HITTERS-Sparta: Sroka 2-3 (RBI). PCHS: Cheek 1-2, Kellerman 1-4 (2B), Ramsey 1-3 (RBI), Jenkel 1-4, Keith 1-1 (2B).