For the third time in four years, the Russellville Lady Panthers are champions of the All A Classic’s Fourth Region. Coach Ryan Davenport’s team breezed to the title Saturday at Clinton County, winning their two games by a combined score of 33-2.
In the championship game, RHS beat Monroe County 17-1 behind a barrage of 15 hits by numerous players—six of them with multiple hits—and the three-hit pitching of Amiyah Collier. She walked only one Lady Falcon and struck out five.
Collier also was one of the big hitters. She homered, as did her cousin and fellow junior, Jaylah Kees, joined her in going deep in the fourth inning. Kees’ homer was a grand slam. She also worked a bases-loaded walk for an RBI. Collier, who added a double, finished with six total bases and Kees, who caught Collier’s jewel, five.
Eighth grader Chloe Penrod also had five total base on a doubles and a triple; she also had a pair of RHS.. Akiah Bell went three for three at the plate for the Lady Panthers. Bell also scored three runs, as did Brinley Mason, who had two hits.
Eighth grader Jaeda Poindexter doubled and singled. She was also hit by a pitch. Reese Croslin doubled and scored two runs. Crissy Higgins had a hit, an RBI and a run scored. Addie Mosier drove in a run.
The RHS second inning showcased an offensive clinic. Poindexter, Kees, Penrod, Higgins, Mason and Bell all drove in runs during the 10-run onslaught.
RHS 16, Clinton County 1
Collier, Penrod and Poindexter each had two hits with Mosier and Kees adding one each. Collier stole four bases, Poindexter two, and Kees one. Collier, Penrod and Poindexter each scored three runs, Kees two and Katelynn Davenport one.
Mosier—the team’s only senior and a starter since she was in middle school—pitched the one-run victory.
Mason, Landry Hankins and the injured Madison Penrod all saw action in this game.
One of the Lady Panther assistant coaches, Chris Penrod, describes the team as “a well-organized, very competitive, athletic group of young women.”
Davenport’s other assistants are Felix Gilbert and Reggie Collier.