Beecher City started slow out of the gate in the 2009 campaign, dropping their home-opener to Pana on Tuesday, 6-4.

“We didn't play too bad,” said B.C. Coach Carolyn Wendte. “We had the lead going into the sixth, but we just need to hit the ball a little better and we need to gain some experience.”

The Eagles have lost some key players over the last two years, but they still have Hillary Shelton. Shelton started out anything but slow on Tuesday. Shelton smacked two doubles, going 2-for-3, and knocking in all four of the B.C. runs.

The only other Eagles to get hits were Courtney Meyers (1-for-3) and Taylor Hilt (1-for-2), both with singles. The Eagles did draw seven walks. Lead-off man Breeanna Strauch drew three walks and scored two of the Eagles’ four runs. Kelsey Meyers (0-for-3) walked once and scored the other two runs.

Pana had already played. They lost to Shelbyville on Saturday, 5-2, but had eight hits in the loss. Pana had eight hits again against B.C. Etter and Barror both went 2-for-4, with a single, a triple and an RBI each. Three other Panthers went 1-for-3 (DeWerff, Waddington, Day) and Beyers was 1-for-2.

Megan DeWerff, who has played with the Shelbyville Lady Lakers traveling team, got the win for Pana. She went all seven innings, walking seven, while striking out ten.

Shelton took the hill for B.C. and went the distance, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and a hit batter, while striking out seven.

Pana 6, Beecher City 4

Pana 110 004 0—6-8-1

B.C. 101 020 0—4-4-3

B.C. stats: Hillary Shelton 2-for-3, 2-2Bs, sac, 4 RBIs; Taylor Hilt 1-for-2, BB; Courtney Myers 1-for-3; Breeanna Strauch 0-for-1, 3 BBs, run; Monica Gardner 0-for-2, BB; Kelsey Myers 0-for-3, BB, 2 runs; Abby hall 0-for-3; Lena Miller 0-for-3; Kaci Wakefield 0-for-3. Pitching (L) Shelton 7 IP, 6 runs 95 ER), 8 hits, 2 BBs, 1 HBP, 7 Ks.

Pana stats: Etter 2-for-4, 1B, 3B, run, RBI; Barror 2-for-4, 1B, 3B, RBI; Beyers 1-for-2, sac, 3 RBIs; DeWerff 1-for-3, HBP; Waddington 1-for-3; Day 1-for-3, BB, run; Miles 0-for-2, BB; DeClerck 0-for-3; Griffith 0-for-2, sac. Pitching (W) DeWerff 7 IP, 4 runs, 4 hits, 7 BBs, 10 Ks.