By Staff Reports

 

AMERICUS – The struggles continue for the Americus-Sumter Baseball Team. The Panthers hosted Hardaway Friday, March 30, at Thomas Bell Stadium. After the first inning, the Panthers looked as if they would be able to hang with the Hawks, trailing 3-2. However, Hardaway scored six runs in the third and seven in the fifth to win going away 17-2.

Hardaway’s Jonathan Manibusan had a four-hit day against the Panthers. He singled in the first, belted a grand slam in the third, and had two singles in the fifth inning.

The Hawks scored three runs in the top of the first inning of Americus-Sumter starter Timothy Etheridge. This was partly due to errors committed by the Panthers.

However, ASH would strike back in the bottom of the first. Christian Mable and Kierston Harvey each walked to start the inning against Hardaway starter Robert McDaniel. After Etheridge grounded into a fielder’s choice, Harvey, who advanced to second on the play, scored on an error by the Hardaway third baseman. Etheridge then scored on a fielder’s choice by Braelin Williams. The Panthers were right back in the game, trailing by just one run.

Neither team did anything in the second inning offensively. However, it was all Hardaway from there. The Hawks plated six runs in the top of the third and seven in the top of the fifth. The Panthers were not able to mount any offense, and the Hawks won 17-2.

Hardaway scored 17 runs on 16 hits and committed one error. Americus-Sumter could only get one hit the whole game, a single by Braelin Williams in the bottom of the fourth. Another glaring factor in the lop-sided win for Hardaway was that the Panthers committed six errors.

Americus-Sumter starter Timothy Etheridge had a very rough night on the mound. He gave up 14 runs on 14 hits. He did strike out three batters, but walked two and gave up the grand slam to Manibusan. Kierston Harvey came on in relief of Etheridge. He worked one inning, giving up three runs on two hits. He walked two batters and struck out none.

Hardaway starter Robert McDaniel worked two innings. He gave up two runs on no hits. He struck out one and walked two.

The Panthers fall to 2-13 overall and 1-6 in Region 1-AAAA.