After facing one of its most challenging competitors, Moses Lake, the Wenatchee High School softball team’s record has changed to 8-4, putting them at fourth place in their conference, after a difficult 12-0 loss on May 6, and another set of losses, 17-6 and 5-0, during their doubleheader on May 9.

“I think we came into the game with good intentions but perhaps [we were] too tight,” Head Coach Brent Grothe said. “We can swing the bats better than we did [Wednesday].”

As for the players, they remained optimistic after their performance on Wednesday.

“We kinda just had an off day [Wednesday] and I think we’ll come out better next time because we’ll know what we need to work on,” said junior infielder Brighton Noble.

Before taking on Moses Lake, the Panthers swept Davis on April 22 and April 25, and then went on to sweep Sunnyside in the midst of a loss to Cascade on May 1. 

Senior Abby McKay, who leads the Panthers in non-league RBIs, added to the Panthers win to Cascade with 3 RBIs and a homerun, being the only member of her team to hit a homerun so far this season. 

“This stretch of games were good for us in that we got our bats going,” said Grothe. “I’m proud and pleased at the way the girls are going about their work in practice; they show respect to the game, have a strong focus on becoming better hitters and are developing into strong teammates.”

Major contributors to the Panthers’ sweep over Sunnyside include seniors Katie Kansky and Melaea Taulango, and junior Carley Gangle who all went 3 for 3 during game two of the doubleheader on May 2. 

Noble said that the team “all gets along well and have come to know how each other plays.” 

Although missing some players due to sickness and injury, the Panthers remained on top at the end of the Sunnyside series. 

“There’s good chem on the team, [and] we’re looking forward to a more challenging set of games as we head into playoffs,” Grothe said. “They’re a solid, fun group to work with and fine athletes as well.”

As of right now, being in the top four will put the Panthers in a good position to advance to Districts.

The Panthers continued their season against Eastmont, on May 13, and will face the Wildcats once again with a doubleheader this Friday.