The Russellville High School Softball Lady Panthers have completed their first week of competition and although its early there is no doubt that it should be a most interesting season for RHS.

The Lady Panthers scored 21 runs in their first three games but find themselves with only one win to show for it.

"For the most part both our offensive and defensive effort has been commendable but we have shot ourselves in the foot on several occasions with inopportune errors, walks, and or strikeouts," Coach Tom Thompson says.

"Fortunately, it is early in the season and as Vince Gill says, 'If you want to be successful, you have to have hope and be dedicated.'"

The Lady Panthers have no aversion to hard work and they have a super team chemistry. Neither of these attributes, however, was sufficient to overcome the pitching prowess of Hopkinsville's Kelly Vodris, or the Lady Tigers' powerful hitting skills.

As the Panthers dropped an 8-1 decision. Vodris allowed only two hits and one earned run. Sarah Thompson and Mary Lynn Kisselbaugh had the only two hits for the panther. Russellville also committed four costly errors.

The Lady Panthers' second game found them traveling to Burkesville to take on the homestanding Cumberland County Panthers. The Panthers were much improved this day as they scored 10 runs and committed only 2 errors. The final score on this most beautiful spring day was 10-6, Russellville.

Stephanie Southerland picked up the win, as she pitched a four hitter. Sarah Ashby led the hitting barrage with three hits, while Kisselbaugh had two.

Also, getting a hit were Thompson, Morgan Stratton, and Caitlan Coe.

RHS also traveled to Morgantown, to take on the Butler County Bears. Even though the Panthers displayed late inning heroics by scoring eight runs in the seventh inning, they still dropped a heartbreaker 11-10. The Panthers committed only one error but failed to take advantage of several opportunities that presented themselves.

Thompson says, "For the most part the Panthers are on track. Their fielding, pitching, and offense have shown come improvement. But you have to love their spirit and desire to succeed."