Sheldon derailed by Ballard in GVVC twinbill

The Sheldon Panther and Lady Panther baseball and softball teams were upended by visiting Ballard in a Golden Valley Vernon County Conference twinbill Tuesday night.

The Panthers were edged 4-3, while the Lady Panthers fell 17-2 in a run-ruled three-inning contest.

Ballard 4, Sheldon 3

In the boys game, Sheldon led 1-0 in the top of the first, and 3-0 entering the bottom of the third. Sheldon was held in check offensively the rest of the way, while Ballard plated two in the third and one in the fifth, knotting the contest 3-3. Ballard then scratched across a run in the bottom of the seventh, securing the walk-off victory.

“This was a tough loss,” said Sheldon head coach Matt Beatty, as his club moves to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in GVVC-play. “We did a much better job of hitting and fielding in this game. We have lost three games by a combined total of five runs. We need to do a better job of executing in the late innings in order to win close games.”

For the Panthers, senior Zavery Lamb struck out six over three innings of work. Coming on in relief, junior Brett O’Connor was saddled with the loss. O’Connor (0-2) was still solid, fanning six. At the dish for Sheldon, juniors O’Connor, Clayton Loyd, and Jason Leavell each finished 2-for-4. O’Connor drove in two, while Loyd chipped in a stolen base.

The Panthers returned to the diamond Thursday evening, as Sheldon was defeated at home by Lockwood, 19-4, in a non-conference contest.

Ballard 17, Sheldon 2

In the girls contest, Ballard erupted for a 10-run first inning, and never looked back. Ballard collected 14 hits on the evening, leaving two on base — while Sheldon finished with two hits, and stranded seven runners.

For the Lady Panthers, sophomore first baseman Meckinize McCartney finished with a double and run-scored, while sophomore shortstop Mahalia Swink chipped in a single, stolen base, a run scored, and reached on a walk. In addition, Lady Panther second baseman Lakin Standley drove in a run, to go along with a pair of stolen bases.

“We were able to do better at the plate this game, but we still have room for improvement,” said Lady Panthers head coach Mike Galimberto. “Having seven left on base hurt (our) scoring (chances) — but when the ball was hit, it just found (Ballard) gloves.”

The loss moves the Lady Panthers to 0-3 overall and 0-3 in GVVC-play.

“Defense was our big struggle, as we had several fielding errors that cost runs,” noted Galimberto. “We alternate between offensive and defensive skill sets at practice, and this week defense will take precedence so that errors can be reduced.”