Shorthanded Panthers fall to 2-2

By Eric Pierce
Staff writer/leadoff kicker

Thursday saw the Middlesex Panthers come up short for the second time this season, losing a tight 1-0 decision against the Root Down. In a game that seemed doomed from the start, the Panthers played the first two innings a player down, as they waited for their players to arrive.

The first three and a half innings were a rare pitcher's duel, as both teams struggled to get players on base. Panthers first basemen and leadoff kicker Eric Pierce suffered a "Manny-moment" when he was thrown out on his way to third base in the first inning.

"It was my fault," Pierce said later. "I had my head down when I should've been looking for BK [Panthers third base coach Brian Kraemer]." The unlikely out seemed to set the tone for the Panthers as they struggled throughout out the game, despite strong efforts shown by pitcher David Bergeron, second baseman Amanda "is my knee infected?" Wong and shortstop Nick Toth.

The real story of the night, however, seems to be the Panthers' continuing struggles with fielding a consistent roster. The Panthers were nearly forced to forfeit the match due to a severe lack of female players. It's clear that, if the navy blue team hopes to make it into the post season this year, they will have to find a way to get everybody out to the field (and, preferably, the bar as well).