The weather finally held up long enough for the Russellville Lady Panthers to have their home opener. With two games scheduled against the McLean County Lady Cougars the Lady Panthers were eager to show off their renovated stadium as well as a new attitude on the diamond.

Despite playing with a fresh attitude and a new coach, the Lady Panthers dropped both games to the Lady Cougars 12-0 and 11-0.

“You can’t give up the long inning, and in two games we gave up the long inning and that’s what hurt us,” RHS head coach Greg Meacham said.

But with the losses there were some evidence that the team has what it takes to compete.

In past seasons the Lady Panthers would get down and then errors would compound themselves with more errors and the flood gates would open for the other team.

Not Saturday.

McLean had to earn each run as the Lady Panthers scrapped valiantly on the defensive and pitching end highlighted by a ‘Top Ten’ play by outfielder Amber Rosser who’s diving catch robbed McLean of a sure double..

Offensively, Russellville had their struggles with the dominant pitching of McLean’s Jessica Jones who kept the Lady Panthers to three hits and striking out 19.

“I think we talked earlier that pitching and catching is the name of the game and they had a great pitcher,” coach Meacham said.

The Lady Panthers may have once again started the season with a 0-3 record but there are signs that the team is headed in the right direction.

“Overall I’m proud of them, and I don’t care what people say, think, we’re getting better,” coach Meacham said. “I’ve got a great group of girls if they stick with it and buy into the program, and a great group of assistant coaches.”

Amber Rosser went one for four with a double in the double header and Imani Hampton one for four as well.

Russellville will host Trigg County tonight as they look to snag their first win of the season. Before the game they plan to rededicate the stadium and have the Russellville superintendent to throw out the first pitch.