BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 5, 2022) - Rhodes took to the road for the first time this season, traveling to Birmingham to face SSC-favorite Birmingham Southern. The Panthers showed why they were the top team in the preseason poll, sweeping both games of the doubleheader. Rhodes now sits at 7-6 on the season (0-5 SAA), while BSC improves to 8-3 (2-1 SAA). 

Game One
BSC 10, Rhodes 1
5 Innings

Rhodes started the scoring early with a KT Siekerka RBI single to right that brought in Madison Stringfield. It was the 12th straight game for Siekerka with a hit. BSC was able to tie the game and take the lead in the second with a triple and a sac fly. The game then got blown open in the third when the Panthers struck for eight runs. They put together five hits in the inning, but were aided by four walks from the Lynx pitchers in the inning. Rhodes was unable to score any more runs in the game, leading to a five-inning mercy rule loss.  


Game Two
BSC 6, Rhodes 3

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead when K. Walters walked, stole second and ended up scoring on a double steal later in the inning. They would balloon their lead to 5-0 in the second inning when they collected four hits, and a throwing error led to two unearned runs against the Lynx. Rhodes would fight back one inning later. Hannah Grace Roden was hit by a pitch to lead off, and ended up on third after a stolen base and a wild pitch. She was brought in three batters later on a Madison Stringfield RBI groundout. Abby Pons would drive in a second run during the next at bat with a single down the left field line that plated Peyton Cely to make the score 5-2. The Lynx would inch closer in the sixth when Madison Bromley delivered an RBI base hit to bring in Pons. Back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the sixth got the run back for the Panthers and made the final score of 6-3. 

Rhodes will look to salvage the series on Sunday when they play BSC in the third game of the weekend. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 central.