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By JON KLAVERKAMP
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
When the Rappahannock Panthers faced top-ranked and undefeated Manassas Park on April 26, the Panthers were supposed to lose. But they didn’t. In a spectacular hitting dual in which the lead changed three times, Rappahannock’s high school sluggers upset Manassas Park, 8 - 7. That game will go down in history as one of the most exciting ever played in the county.
The problem with having won that game, however, is that the Panthers are now expected to pull similar miracles. Take last Thursday’s game for instance. The Page County Panthers were in town, and they have the best record in the district (10 - 1). Did that scare anyone here? Of course not. We beat powerful Manassas Park; surely then we can beat anybody.
Not quite. This time victory was not in the cards. Page County ripped Panther pitcher Jeff Porter for six hits and seven runs in the third inning alone. That all but wrapped up the game right there.
It wasn’t until the third inning, though, that Page started running away with the ball game. In fact, in the the first two innings it almost looked as if Rappahannock was going to pull another miracle.
Page was stopped from scoring early when Panther outfielder Rob Brown made a brilliant one-handed catch near the fence in right field. Then a double play further stifled the visitors, sending Rappahannock to the batters box.
The home team struck early. After smashing a single to right field, Porter tV* ole second and ended up at third due to a throwing error. Then Chucky Jenkins, who hit three for four on the day, knocked Porter in with a triple over the left fielders head. Rappahannock was off to a big start.
In the top of the second inning Porter was pitching in high style. He faced four batters, walking one and striking out three. So far no runs for the vaunted Page County Panthers.
When Rappahannock’s Panthers came to bat in the bottom of the second inning, they appeared to be gaining even more momentum. H.B. Wood slammed a long single to center and soon after was advanced to second by Reggie Williams who also hit safely. With runners on first and second Greg Smith walked to load the bases. Power hitter Jeff Porter came to bat with two outs and a slew of runners out there on the bases. At that point, Rappahannock was threatening to run away with the game. All Porter had to do was the usual (hit big) and the home team would be thref'dr four runs in the lead.
But you can’t always be a star. Porter struck out to close the inning, stranding three runners on base.
From that point on, Rappahan
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