Pine Prairie loses to North Webster in regional round

After all is said and done, the Pine Prairie Panthers baseball season was one of tremendous accomplishment.
The Panthers made their way to the regional round of the playoffs this season, but unfortunately fell to the North Webster Knights, losing the first two games in a best two out of three series this past Saturday.
The series was supposed to begin on Friday, but monsoon rains postponed the games until the next day. When that day arrived the Panthers competed as they have all season long; with grit and determination.
Even though both games were one run contests, the Panthers just could not get the breaks necessary to overcome the Knights.
“Our kids played extremely hard,” said Pine Prairie head coach Scott Butts. “There were probably a couple of things we could have done to affect the outcome of the games, but we just fell a little short. You have to tip your hats to North Webster; they were a very good team.”
According to Butts, the Panthers were able to reach the second round of the playoffs because of the competition during the regular season.
“Every team we played this year, with the exception of Avoyelles made the playoffs,” stated Butts. “Even our district was one of the toughest in the state. We had our ups and downs this year, but the players kept competing, no matter what adversity we faced this season. I would say that they have accomplished a whole lot this year.”
A major reason for the attitude of the team this season, was the leadership of the senior players. That is a fact that did not pass Butts’ attention.
“Our seniors are a group of fun young men to coach,” said Butts. “They respect the game and the school they represent. All of them were true leaders on and off the field. They have set a standard for this program. I know that all of these young men will have a bright future ahead of them.”
Here is a recap of the two games played between Pine Prairie and North Webster

Game One
This game actually started on Friday and had to be postponed until Saturday because of the torrential rain. After resuming the game, North Webster took an early lead and never looked back in a 4-3 win over the Panthers.
When the game resumed on Saturday, Pine Prairie threatened in the top of the first, when Dylan Doucet reached on a walk and stole second base. But, North Webster was able to get the next three batters out to preserve the scoreless game.
The Knights stopped the Panthers in the top of the second once more and then answered with single runs in the bottom of the first and second innings to take a quick 2-0 lead.
Pine Praire managed a single run in the top of the third when Cole Thomas scored on a single off of the bat of Sylus Carson.
North Webster regained their advantage plating another run in the bottom of the third.
Neither team scored again, until Pine Prairie’s Fontenot scored in the top of the sixth to make it 3-2.
The Panthers tied the game in the top of the seventh, only to relinquish the win to the Knights in the bottom of the seventh.

Game Two
The second game of the series was a pitching duel, as North Webster came away with a 2-1 win over Pine Prairie.
The Knights scored first, plating a single run in the top of the second inning.
Pine Prairie tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, but could not forge ahead of the Knights.
North Webster plated the winning run in the top of the sixth inning to take the game and the series.