Panthers fall to Livonia in district contest

Going into Thursday’s game against the Livonia Wildcats, the Pine Prairie Panthers were a perfect 2-0 in district play. Despite leading after four innings, the Panthers gave up seven runs in the fifth inning to fall 9-4 to the Wildcats. Pine Prairie is now 9-7 on the year and 2-1 in district play.
The first three innings were scoreless for both teams. Neither team was able to mount any threat on offense. The closest both squads came to scoring was in the bottom of the first, when Livonia had bases loaded but saw the lead runner put out at the plate for the third out.
Pine Prairie registered on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning with three runs. Gaten Chaddrick singled to lead off the inning. Joshua Fontenot reached on an error putting runners at first and second. Matthew Rougeau flied out to right field. J.T. Joubert doubled to score Chaddrick and Fontenot. Sylus Carson recorded the second out, grounding to the pitcher. With two outs, Wyatt Wainright singled to score Joubert. Chandler Johnson struck out to end the inning.
The Wildcats cut the lead down to two, plating a run in the bottom of the fourth. Pine Prairie answered back with a run in the top of the fifth. After a one-out single, Dylan Doucet scored on a double by Chaddrick. The Panthers now led 4-1.
Livonia rallied in the bottom of the fifth, scoring seven unanswered runs. The Wildcats batted around in the inning, collecting four hits, including two doubles. Livonia padded their lead in the bottom of the sixth, tacking on another run to finish out the scoring. A Doucet single in the top of the seventh was not enough for the Panthers to attempt at a comeback.
Doucet picked up the loss for the Panthers, throwing four and one-third innings. Doucet gave up seven runs on nine hits, struck out six and walked six. Chaddrick and Doucet were both two for four in the game. Chaddrick scored a run and collected a run batted in.