South Charlotte Panthers

The 2009 SC Panthers traveled to Jupiter, Florida for the Perfect Game WWBA World Championships. The tournament was played at the St. Louis Cardinals/Florida Marlins Spring Training site and featured the largest number of top teams and players in the nation which annually draws the most professional and college scouts at any single event annually. In the Panthers Thursday night feature game to kick the tournament off there were an estimated 150-200 scouts in attendance.

GAME 1

SC Panthers   7.................................................7.....6.....3

PG East Coast Teal  2.....................................2.....4.....2

Winning Pitcher: Alex Wood  5 IP; 3 H; 5 K

Save: Justin Lykins  2 IP; 1 H; 2 K

The Panthers fell behind in the first inning 0-2 but came back in their half to take a 3-2 lead. The Cats extended the lead through the game and behind a solid outing from starter Alex Wood stretched the lead for the victory. Reliever Justin Lykins closed out the game shutting the PG team in the final 2 innings.

Rafael Gonzalez and Tyler Miller led the offense with both collecting 2 hits including a double  and scoring two runs each. Other Panthers collecting hits were Tyler Zupcic and Richie Shaffer.

GAME 2

SC Panthers  5.........................................................5.....5.....4

East Cobb Titans  2.................................................2.....4.....3

Winning Pitcher: Corey Roberts  5 IP; 2 H; 7 K

Save: Daniel Brown  1 IP; 1 H; 2 K

In a close game the Panthers held on for a 5-2 victory over the EC Titans. Starting pitcher Corey Roberts pitched out of a couple of jams striking out 7 in 5 innings. In the sixth the Titans loaded the bases before reliever Daniel Brown closed the door with 2 strike outs for the save. Leading the Panther hitters were Casey Gebhardt 1-1; C.A. Clayton 1-1; Richie Shaffer 1-2 with a triple and RBI; Eric Brady 1-3 and Tyler Zupcic 1-4 with an RBI.

GAME 3

SC Panthers  1.........................................................1.....3.....1

ABD Bulldogs  2.......................................................2.....1.....2

Losing Pitcher: Richie Shaffer  4.33 IP; 1 H; 1 ER; 4 K

The Panthers lost a close contest to the Bulldogs in the pivotal game for advancement. The Cats left 8 runners in scoring position including the tying run in the seventh when the Bulldog third baseman made a ESPN play on a soft ground ball to end the game. Casey Gebhardt was 2-2 to lead the offense. Shane Basen collected the only other Panther hit. The Bulldogs lead off hitter collected the only hit for the winners in the first innings as the Cat pitchers Richie Shaffer and Jordan Hudson held them in check the rest of the way.

GAME 4

SC Panthers  6.............................................................6.....9.....1

S. FL Renegades  1..................................................... 1.....6.....0

Winning Pitcher: Joseph Shealy  2 IP; 0 H; 2 K

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead on an RBI single from Rafael Gonzalez and extended the lead through the game. Leading hitters for the Cats were Tyler Tewell 3-3 with an RBI; Eric Brady and Richie Shaffer; both 2-3 with a double and RBI and Casey Gebhardt 1-3.

SS - Eric Brady turned three 6U/6-3 double plays and C - Tyler Tewell threw out 2 of 2 potential base stealers giving him 5 for 5 for the tournament.

The Panthers finished 3-1 in pool play and did not advance to the final 16; placing 18th in the 80 team event based on record and runs against.