Three days later, the Panthers officially won their opening day game against the Vikings by a final score of 9-7. The Vikings came over to Highland high school to continue the 7-7 score going into the top of the 10th. Even though this game continued in Highland, the Vikings served as the home team. The Panthers had a new lineup and both teams started at the top of the lineup. 

The Panthers started things off with Robert Tate reaching to second on an error by the Vikings’ right fielder. With one out, three hitter Kevin Bushnell came to bat and cranked one over the left field fence. Head coach Deandre Gilmore gave a quick and simple answer to how he got his team ready for this unorthodox situation as well as the significance of Kevin Bushnell’s bat in the middle of the lineup.

“Put Bushnell at the top of the lineup so he can hit a home run and win.”

The Vikings made it interesting in the bottom of the 10th off Brendan Meyers. The Vikings had a runner on first and second with one out. Meyers then struck out Western Michigan athlete Fitzharris and got Vazquez to ground out. 

Rewinding back to May 30, Max Everaert went six innings allowing four. Gino Gazillo and Jonny Crowell picked up two RBIs. Daniel Gay and Josh Williams each had a RBI knock. 

Mason Dunlop was the winning pitcher as he pitched a scoreless ninth. The Panthers will take the win, as it got them out of a 0-3 funk.