AFTON — East Union raced to a 7-0 lead after two innings and then kept a steadily closing Panorama at bay to eventually claim a 7-5 win in their non-conference softball tilt Wednesday.
East Union (5-3) crossed the plate three times in the first inning and four times in the second to take early control of the game.
Panorama (3-4) began clawing back into contention with two runs in the third and another in the fourth. They touched home twice in the top of the seventh before running out of outs and taking the loss.
Junior Grace Richey has been pitching with an injured finger for most of the season and gritted out another six innings against the Eagles. She surrendered seven runs (only four of them earned) on eight hits. Richey walked two batters, hit one with a pitch and set seven down on strikes.
Grace Webner had two hits and two runs and Claire Woodworth a single, a double and three RBIs. Richey had a single, Lindy Nelson a hit and a run, and Zoey Hambleton a hit and a RBI while Shey Storesund also drove in a run.
Mallory Raney struck out seven, walked four and yielded seven hits for the hosts. She was touched for five runs — two earned — in seven frames on the rubber.
Kaylin Lack had three singles and Sara Collins a single, a double and two RBIs to spark the home team.
Panorama is at Earlham tonight and will visit AC/GC Monday.
