Highland, KS – In Game one, the Neosho Panthers rolled to an 8-2 win over Highland on Saturday, powered by a huge day at the plate from Kamden Bray. Bray went a perfect 3-for-3, blasting a home run to left in the third inning and adding singles in the fifth and seventh. Neosho got things started early in the second inning. Bray was hit by a pitch, Reece Norris followed with a single to left, and Jayden Willard drove in a run with a ground out, helping the Panthers jump out in front. Highland answered in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run to center by Feurt, but Neosho quickly regained control. Bray’s two-run homer in the third stretched the lead and gave the Panthers momentum they wouldn’t give back. On the mound, Bray also delivered a strong performance. The right-hander went the distance, allowing five hits and two runs over seven innings while striking out six and walking one to earn the win. Willard added to the offensive effort with two hits in four at-bats for Neosho, to help Bray carry the Panthers to a win.
The Panthers put together a dominant performance on Saturday, shutting out Highland 4-0, behind a stellar outing from Pilar Cox in game two. Cox was in complete control on the mound, tossing a shutout while allowing just five hits and keeping Highland off the scoreboard all game. At the plate, Brenna Kohlmeier led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance. Kohlmeier set the tone early with a two-run home run to center field in the first inning, then stayed hot with a single in the fourth and a double in the fifth. That first-inning blast gave Neosho an early lead and they never surrendered. The Scotties couldn’t string together enough offense against Cox’s strong pitching, who also contributed offensively, collecting two hits in four at-bats of her own to help pace the offense.
The Panthers have two more conference series, away against Cowley (4/28), and home against Labette (4/30).
