***Kendall Vincent is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
The Annawan/Wethersfield Titans secured a 5-3 win over the Erie-Prophetstown Panthers on Thursday, powered by strong pitching and timely hitting.
Erie-Prophetstown struck first in the opening inning when Kayler Pritchard delivered an RBI triple. However, the Titans responded quickly in the bottom half, tying the game at one after Tessa Gripp roped a double down the right-field line.
Annawan/Wethersfield took control in the third inning, grabbing a 2-1 lead on an RBI single from Madison Smith.
Smith also dominated on the mound, earning the complete-game victory. She scattered nine hits across seven innings, allowing three runs while striking out nine and walking three. Erie-Prophetstown’s Wynn Renkes took the loss, pitching five and two-thirds innings while giving up five runs on eight hits, striking out five, and walking one.
Gripp and Smith led the Titans’ offense, each collecting two hits. Clara Bella VanOpdorp contributed with two RBIs, finishing 1-for-3. Defensively, Annawan/Wethersfield played a flawless game, with Karsyn Rico leading the team with nine fielding chances.
For Erie-Prophetstown, Pritchard provided a key offensive spark, driving in two runs while going 1-for-3. Alyssah Padia and Jaylynn Hamilton also made an impact, each collecting two hits while batting back-to-back. The Panthers also turned a double play in the game.
Annawan/Wethersfield will look to build on this momentum.
