VEEDERSBURG — Playing their first home game since 2019, the Fountain Central Mustangs fell to the Riverton Parke Panthers 19-5 Tuesday night. Both teams traded three-run first innings, but the Panthers exploded for 10 runs in the second to take the lead for good.
The inexperience of the Mustangs pitching staff showed in the loss as they issued 15 walks.
“You can see the inexperience in the circle,” Fountain Central coach Ric Walke said. “Despite that, whoever we throw out there they continue to give their best effort and we couldn’t ask anything more than that.”
Offensively the Mustangs (0-2 0-2 WRC) were able to improve from their first game where they scored just two runs. Freshman Kacey Kirkpatrick and Junior Chloe Golia each had a home run. Senior Marley Massey went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs.
“We’re putting the ball in play and making things happen,” Walke said. “We had even more chances to score but I was very pleased with that part of our game tonight. Defensively and on the base paths we were also pleased with.”
With this being their first home game since the COVID-19 pandemic canceled last season, Walke also mentioned how it just feels good to be playing again in front of their home fans and also getting his girls some experience.
“We had a great turnout from our crowd tonight,” he said. “I think everyone wants to come out and watch some sports and have some fun, so it was great to see the support. Our upperclassmen are playing well and are really helping out those who this is their first taste of being on a varsity team.”
The Mustangs will return to action on Thursday as they travel to take on Crawfordsville.
