Coming into Monday night’s game at Hopkinsville, the Dawson Springs Lady Panthers had won just one game in each of the past two seasons. Just a few days into the 2026 season, they have equaled that number. The Lady Panthers rallied to score the final three runs of the game, one in the sixth and two in the seventh, as they came from behind to knock off the Lady Tigers 7-6.
The Lady Panthers took the lead early in this one. Audri Scott doubled in the top of the first to drive in Briley Sawyer, who had walked to lead off the game, as Dawson Springs took a 1-0 lead.
The score stayed that way until the top of the fourth when Mollie Back singled to score Piper Pritt and extend the lead to 2-0. The Lady Panthers added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning off a Hopkinsville error to make it a 4-0 game.
Hopkinsville used a variety of means to get things going in the bottom half of the inning. The Lady Tigers got a walk, two singles, two hit batters, and three Dawson Springs errors as they plated six runs to come all the way back and take the lead at 6-4.
The Lady Panthers got one of the runs back on a bases-loaded wild pitch in the top of the sixth to cut the lead to 6-5.
The Lady Tigers threatened to blow the game open in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with one out. However, Sophia Johnson got the next two batters to pop up and then strike out to leave the game at 6-5. That missed opportunity would end up costing Hopkinsville.
Dawson Springs started the top of the 7th off by Kalyn Cotton drawing a walk and then Katie Blanchard reached on an infield single. Both runners then advanced on passed ball to give the Lady Panthers runners on second and third with no outs. After Hopkinsville pitcher Bailee Ladson got Piper Pritt to strike out, Mollie Back laid down a bunt that Hopkinsville misplayed, allowing Cotton and Blanchard to score, giving the Lady Panthers the lead back at 7-6. And, that would be the score as the game headed off into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Audri Scott then took to the circle for the final inning and set the Lady Tigers down quietly to close out the Lady Panthers’ first win of the season.
Seven different players had one hit each for Dawson Springs. Audri Scott and Mollie Back had one RBI each.
For Hopkinsville, Amelia Lockhar was 2-4 with a run scored. Jaleigha McFarland and Bailee Ladson had one hit each.
Sophia Johnson got the win in relief for the Lady Panthers, going 1 ⅔ innings and giving up 3 runs, none of them earned, on one hit, striking out two and walking two. Audri Scott pitched the 7th inning to get the save.
Bailee Ladson went the distance for Hopkinsville, giving up serven runs, just three of them earned, on seven hits, striking out nine and walking five.
