Last season Liberty ended North Carroll's campaign in the state region semifinals. It didn't take long for the Panthers to get their shot at the Lions, as two met in the season-opener yesterday.
The host and No. 13 Panthers (1-0) did all their damage early, then held on for a 6-3 triumph over Liberty (0-1).
The Panthers put across all their runs in the second inning, and followed a complete-game outing by Katie Mullinix to the victory.
The defending county champs North Carroll won both regular-season meetings against Liberty last spring, but the Lions came through in the region semifinals before losing to Damascus in the region title game.
"It's always important to win the first game, especially this one," said senior first basemen Sara Clark. "We needed to win this game to prove something to ourselves."
Clark keyed North Carroll's offense with three hits and two runs scored. The Panthers had five hits, but were scoreless, after the second as Lions sophomore Lindsey Rankin shut them down.
Liberty provided some uncomfortable moments for the hosts in the last inning, getting the first two batters on base and scoring a run. But Kate Hartman was thrown out attempting to steal second by Panthers catcher Nicole Richelderfer to end the game.
"I'm happy considering we had been outside practicing only three days," said North Carroll coach Rich Harvey, whose team has a week off before its next contest. "We're still trying to put some things together."
Trailing 1-0, Clark began assembling the Panthers' big second inning against Liberty starter Bethany Hall with a single to center, then was brought home by a triple by Candi Jeffrey.
Jeffrey later scored, beating a tag at the plate. The Panthers pulled off a double steal, allowing Carla Ramirez to score, making it 3-1. Trish Brown and Beth Reeb (2-for-3) each had a run-scoring single, and Mullinix had a RBI groundout in the inning.
The Lions got a run back in the sixth against Mullinix. Junior Tina Warholic opened with a single, then scored all the way from first after a throwing error by Reeb on a bunt play.
"We had a few mental errors and a couple of bad hops," said Liberty coach Nora Murray, who has eight starters back. "It's difficult when you give up six runs like that, but we did well for the opening game."
The Lions struck first in the second inning. Theresa Jason had a single to right, and scored on a left field double by Danielle Chapman. North Carroll would get that run back and more, sending 12 batters to the plate in its six-run rally.
Mullinix, a senior right-handed windmiller and one of four starters back for the Panthers, allowed eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks.
Pub Date: 3/24/99