Panthers rally in sixth inning for exciting win

This past Saturday, the Pine Prairie Panthers took to the home diamond, hosting a non-district game against the Bolton Bears. The Panthers exploded for six runs in their final at bat to subdue the Bears 10-7. With the win, Pine Prairie improves to 14-7 on the year.
The Panthers started the game on the right note. After blanking Bolton in the top of the first, Pine Prairie plated their first run in the bottom of the inning. Dylan Doucet led off with a single to right field and then used his speed to swipe second base on a steal. Gaten Chaddrick struck out for the first out. Joshua Fontenot singled, scoring Doucet from second base. J.T. Joubert recorded the second out when he went down on strikes. Matthew Rougeau flied out to left field to end the inning.
Bolton was not deterred by the early Panther lead. In the top of the second, the Bears collected three runs on four hits; including two doubles to take the 3-1 lead. Pine Prairie had no answer for the offensive output of Bolton, as they were shut out in the bottom half of the inning.
However, the Panthers did respond in the bottom of the third inning. Pine Prairie held the Bears scoreless in the top half of the inning. L. Blood was put out on a ground ball to the third baseman to lead off the Panther half of the third. Doucet then singled to right field and moved to second base on a passed ball. With Chaddrick at the plate, Doucet stole third base.
Chaddrick was issued a base on balls, putting runners at first and third with one out. Fontenot sent a fly ball to left field, which was deep enough to score Doucet on the sacrifice. The third out was recorded when Joubert popped up to the second baseman. After three complete innings of play the score was now 3-2 in favor of the Bears.
In the fourth inning both teams managed to plate two runs apiece. Hunter Lee and Zac Lee both crossed the plate for the Panthers in the inning. At the end of the fourth, Bolton still held a one run lead over Pine Prairie, 5-4.
A quiet fifth inning for both teams turned into a deafening roar of runs for the Panthers in the bottom of the sixth. Pine Prairie exploded for six runs in the inning, turning a one run deficit into a five run advantage. The Panthers used every method possible at the plate, including a sacrifice bunt and a three-run home run to push the lead changing runs across the plate. Josh Fontenot recorded the big hit of the inning, sending a 1-2 pitch over the center field wall, accounting for three of the six runs.
Bolton did manage to put a temporary scare into the Panthers in the top of the seventh. The Bears pushed two runs across to cut the lead to three. However, Doucet calmed the nerves of the Pine Prairie faithful by shutting down Bolton at the opportune time.
Zach Lee started the game on the mound for the Panthers, throwing four completed innings. While on the hill, Lee gave up five runs on eight hits, issued three walks and struck out five. Doucet picked up the win in a relief appearance. Doucet fired three complete innings, giving up two runs on zero hits, walked three and struck out six.
At the plate, Doucet was three for four with three runs scored and one run batted in. Fontenot was two for three, scoring a run and collecting six runs batted in. Rougeau was two for four, while Gavin O’Conner went two for three for the Panthers.