The Nease Panthers earned a huge softball victory over the rival Ponte Vedra Sharks on the road and did so in dominant fashion as the offense came alive from the very first pitch of the contest en route to a 14-4 win in six innings on April 1.
It did not take long for the Panthers (6-7) to establish an early lead thanks to a five-run first inning before sophomore Sydney Davis even took to the circle for the Panthers in the bottom of the first.
Davis then did her part to preserve the big lead by controlling the game not only as a pitcher, as she finished pitching all six innings and allowed three runs and scattered six hits, while striking out six as well.
She was also one of two Panther batters that went three-for-four at the plate, joined as well by senior Ariona Navarro.
Two of Davis’ three hits were doubles, as she helped her own cause in the circle, which is something she has done often throughout the season as a dynamic two-way player.
In total, six Nease players had more than one hit on the night, including Scarlette Kennedy, Alanna Doherty, Casey Eliason, and Sophia Matt, who each had two hits apiece.
The Panthers added two runs in the top of the second inning with some clutch two-out hits and had an 8-0 advantage after just two trips to the plate.
Sophomore Abby Shin got the Sharks on the scoreboard with a two-run triple that she hit sharply on a line before it bounced over the centerfielder’s head, allowing her to reach third.
The Sharks (9-4) added accouple of more runs in the coming innings, but it was not enough to mount any sort of a real comeback.
The Sharks outfield produced a pair of highlight-reel plays as sophomore Addison Siebenaler made a sprawling catch on a full sprint to her right to rob an extra-base hit in center field, while freshman Carley Clarkson followed it up by throwing a frozen rope from left field to throw out a runner at home plate one inning later.
However, it proved to be an inconsistent game for the Sharks defensively, as they also committed five errors on the night, which helped fuel the Panthers’ success, especially early.
Consistency fielding is something the Sharks will look to sharpen up heading into the remaining weeks of the regular season.
