Ladies white out Warriors
Union extends win total to eight
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Brittany Massey- Lentz launches the ball high in the air during the ladies first home game against White County. Massey-Lentz has also once again made her presence felt in center field this year, making a number of spectacular catches to rob the opposing teams of hits.

The Lady Panthers softball team won its first home game of the season, prevailing 2-1 against the White County Lady Warriors.

Turns out, that was just a warmup.

Union defeated White 10-0 in a rematch between the two teams, played this time on the Warriors home field.

Union racked up 15 hits during the contest. The team has already had three games this season in which they have had 10 hits or more, according to Head Coach Jessica Stewart.

On the mound April Harper had 12 strikeouts in her latest shutout, which came on the heels of a no-hitter performance against the Lady Warriors in the first matchup.

Harper has three no-hitters and a one-hitter so far this season.

This latest win was number eight for the Lady Panthers. Their four losses, which have only come in tournament action, have been against much larger schools.

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam April Harper and a Lady Warrior in a play at the plate.

"I feel good about things," Coach Stewart said. "The four games that we lost, we could have won. We have been in every game."

The coach said that in addition to an even more dominant season from Harper on the mound, something that seemed unlikely after last year's impressive performance, the team has also benefitted from better hitting this year.

"That's something that I really think is helping April and the pitchers out," Coach Stewart said.

Defensively the team was already solid last year, and has continued to keep the errors to a minimum this season.

Region play begins next week, as the Lady Panthers travel to Jackson County before returning home to face rival Dawson County on Thursday, September 6.

Last season the Lady Panthers and Lady Tigers split the two games they played against each other.