PAXTON – The Paxton-Buckley-Loda varsity softball team lost 17-8 to Armstrong-Potomac in its season opener on Wednesday.
“I think with a young team, we’re happy to get this first game under our belt,” PBL head coach Taylor Walwer said.
The Trojans gained a 10-0 lead via two runs apiece in the first and third innings and six more runs in the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, PBL got on the board with two runs as Averi Garrett, Devani McClatchey and Mackenzie Swan were each hit by a pitch before Addison Lavender and McClatchey each scored a run on an error.
Armstrong-Potomac tallied five runs in the top of the fifth inning to extend its lead to 15-2, but PBL scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to avoid the 10-run rule.
“I think a lot of people just underestimate us from the start because of how young we are, but I was proud to see some of our underclassmen really step up today and take that leadership role,” Walwer said. “Even though we didn’t come out with the win, I’m pretty impressed with the little things that we did with the team that we have.”
Tanner Graham hit a leadoff single, Jordyn Goss drew a walk and Aubrey Busboom singled to center field to load the bases before Garrett doubled to center field to send Graham and Goss home. Busboom scored on a McClatchey groundout before a single by Swan send Lavender across home plate.
The Panthers scored two more runs in the sixth inning, including an RBI double by Goss.
“Jordyn had a big hit,” Walwer said.
Goss finished the game hitting 2-for-3 while Swan went 3-for-3. Garrett went 2-for-2 while Graham went 2-for-4.
“There were lots of small wins tonight, even though we didn’t ultimately win the game,” Walwer said.
On the mound, Busboom allowed 18 runs – 15 earned – on 16 hits and six walks with six strikeouts in a complete game.
Armstrong-Potomac 17, PBL 8
AP 202 650 2 — 17 16 3
PBL 000 242 0 — 8 13 2
W – Gernetz, 7 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 9 K, 2 BB. L – Aubrey Busboom, 7 IP, 16 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 6 K, 6 BB.
Armstrong-Potomac – Spencer 1-2, 3 R. Duden 3-4, 2B, 4 RBIs, 4 R. Bullington 3-5, 3 3B, 4 RBIs, 3 R. Saltsgaver 2-4, 3B, 5 RBIs, 3 R. Cline 3-5, 2B, 4 RBIs. Cooper 1-4, R. Eichelberger 1-2, R. Parkerson 2-4, 2 R.
PBL – Tanner Graham 2-4, 2 R. Jordyn Goss 2-3, 2 2B, RBI, R. Aubrey Busboom 1-4, R. Averi Garrett 2-2, 2B, 2 RBIs. Addison Lavender 2 R. Devani McClatchey RBI, R. Kendyl Badgley 1-4. Mackenzie Swan 3-3, RBI, R. Taryn Rock 2-4.
