While Park Hill South started the season off 0-4 after a
trip to an out-of-state tournament in Bartlesville,
Oklahoma two weeks ago, the
Panthers got onto the winning track last week with two conference wins.
Beginning the season with such a slow start was rough, but Coach Josh Walker
takes those results with a grain of salt because of the competition, who were
already in mid-season form having already played nearly a dozen games.
“The difference between Bartlesville
and what we’re seeing this week is the pitching,” Walker said.
Park Hill South won a close 3-2 game against Raytown to start the week
when a passed ball in the seventh inning gave the Panthers the advantage. They
pulled out another win against Fort
Osage 4-3 in extra
innings as Austin McCormick laid down an RBI on a suicide squeeze play to bring
Matt Gillespie home for the game’s winning run. While the offense hasn’t been
spectacular so far this season, pitching and defense has been a solid strength.
Michael Somerville, Joel Burkhart, and Avery Booth along
with a squad of quality outfielders have spurred the Panthers to their recent
span of victories with their play. Sophomore Ryan Cockriel, who pitched six
innings recording four strikeouts for the Panthers against Fort Osage,
has also been an early season surprise from the pitching mound.
“We took him to Oklahoma
as an extra arm, he got an opportunity and did something with it. For a
sophomore, he throws strikes and works quick,” Walker said.
The Panthers hope their offensive development comes along
further in the coming weeks, adding that pivotal piece to the pie which could
cause headaches for local competition.
“I thought we’d be hitting better than we are. I knew our
defense would be strong,” Walker
said. “It’s a good start though and hopefully we’ve righted the ship a little
bit.”
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