Griffith, IN- The Generals had the Panthers right where they wanted them. The Generals were winners of three in a row and coming off of a walk-off win and the Panthers were in the midst of a four-game losing skid. Not to mention the last time these two teams squared off, the Generals came a couple feet away from coming all the way back from a 10 run deficit so they were looking for revenge. However, sometimes you just have a team’s number and early indications point to the Panthers finding a way to beat the Generals as Sunday’s 9-7 win put the Panther’s record against the Generals to a perfect 4-0.
Anthony Mangano got the start. He battled through a red-hot Generals Lineup and went 3.2 innings and allowed four hits and four runs. Mangano did walk seven, but he was in a spot that he was not familiar with as he has usually been a reliever this season.
Trailing 1-0 in the top of the third, the Panthers picked up two off of a Generals throwing error. The 2-1 lead did not last too long as the Generals picked up three runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-2.
Mangano kept it close as Deandre Gilmore then brought in primary starter Max Everaert in relief. Being a usual starter, this was an ideal situation for Everaert, as the Panthers were in desperate need to preserve that bullpen. Everaert did what was needed and then some as he finished the game and collected the win. Everaert went 4.1 innings and only allowed one earned run and three walks. He also had four strikeouts.
The Panthers trailed by one as they got another run in via an error in the fifth.
Darrien Mickell had an incredible night for the Panthers. He walked his first three at-bats and then came through with a huge 2-RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. It was 5-4 Panthers.
The seventh inning rolled around and the Panthers offense looked like how they looked prior to the four game losing streak. The Panthers scored a run off another error and then got a sacrifice fly from both Jonny Crowel and Hunter Hryck to make it 8-4.
The Panthers got some major insurance as Daniel Gay brought in a run via a fielder’s choice groundout to make it 9-4.
As expected, the Generals made it interesting in the ninth. Once again, too interesting for comfort. Everaert was still in the game and he got the first batter out in the inning. The Generals hit back-to-back doubles and then drew a walk to make it 9-5 with the game-tying run on-deck. Third baseman Trent Lawrence made an error and the bases were now loaded. Everaert produced a substantial pop out from the Generals three hitter. Nic Altobelli found himself up to the plate in his first at bat of the day and he ripped a ball into the left-center field gap that looked like major trouble. However, the Panthers caught a break as the ball bounced over the wall leading to Jordan Landkrohn having to go back to third and Altobelli to stay at second. Trent Lawrence redeemed himself as he made the last out going towards the wall in foul territory and slightly reaching over the fence to nab the last out of the game. The Panthers won 9-7.
Max Everaert got the win and was a huge contributor in helping the Panthers snap their four game losing streak. This win put the Panthers at 6-11 and made them feel good in their match against the Miracle Tuesday, June 20 back home in Highland.