Scoring runs has been the name of the game for the Permian Lady Panthers.
The Lady Panthers average 9.5 runs a game.
That offensive firepower continued Friday night as Permian kept its perfect record alive by defeating the Amarillo Tascosa Lady Rebels, 18-2, in five innings at the Ratliff Softball Complex.
Tascosa has been outscored, 69-3, in their last four games.
Permian pitcher Mariah Rey had a good outing, throwing a three-hitter with seven strikeouts.
“It’s very important for Mariah to get in and throw with our defense behind her and play like a team,” Permian head coach Kristin Williams said. “Against a team like Tascosa, it’s good to have things happen like they did.”
The Lady Rebels (6-18 overall, 0-4 in District 2-6A) got on the board first with a solo home run from Alyssa Robinson in the top of the first.
Permian (22-0, 4-0) answered back by taking the lead with a two-run home run by Hunter Harkrider in the bottom half of the first.
Tascosa was held to just two hits over the next four innings.
In the bottom of the second, the Lady Panthers scored three runs to extend their lead to 5-1. Harkrider tallied an RBI double, while Hannah Banker and Brianna Dominguez scored on a pair of throwing errors.
The Lady Panthers sent 10 batters to the plate to tack on six runs in the bottom of the third. Aliyah Lara and Karisma Aguilar each had a pair of RBI singles, while Monique Pando hit an RBI double in the big rally.
Permian’s offense then scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. They sent 11 hitters to the plate, while they compiled five hits.
Banker went 2 for 2 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI, while Harkrider finished 2 for 3 with a single, home run, a walk and two RBIs.
Rylee Day finished 2 for 3 with a single, double, a walk and an RBI. Lara contributed with two singles and an RBI to go 2 for 4.
Kam Martinez went 2 for 2 with two singles, a walk and three runs scored. Rey finished 1 for 2 with a single, a walk and an RBI.
Permian is ranked No. 6 in the latest Texas Girls Coaches Association standings. Sporting an undefeated record can give any team a huge target on their backs; however the Lady Panthers have leaned on each other to stay composed.
“Knowing that we’re a good team and we can all work together and all come together as a team — we can beat anybody out here,” Harkrider said when asked about the key to her team’s success. “We just know that we’re all a family.”
Permian takes on crosstown-rival Odessa High at The Corral at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
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Tascosa…. 10001 — 2 3 3
Permian….. 2367x — 18 13 1
Alyssa Robinson and Brittlyn Martinez. Mariah Rey and Hannah Banker. W — Rey. L — Robinson. 2B — Tascosa: Lauren Will. Permian: Banker (2); Rylee Day; Monique Pando. HR — Tascosa: Robinson. Permian: Hunter Harkrider.
Records — Tascosa (6-18, 0-4); Permian (22-0, 4-0).
