CONNORVILLE – Mother Nature has not been kind to the Buckeye Local softball team this spring. The Lady Panthers have suffered through a 12-day weather-induced delay.

Buckeye Local returned to live action Thursday afternoon and showed no sign of rust, turning in their best performance of the season by besting Barnesville, 5-1.

It was the first win of the campaign for the Lady Panthers after four losses. The triumph, which avenged an earlier loss to the Shamrocks, marked Troy Fetty’s first at the Buckeye Local helm.

“It’s nice to get outside and play again. The girls were excited to have a real game,” Fetty said. “It’s by far the best we have played all year.

“We have a great bunch of girls. They have great camaraderie and work hard,” he added. “Hopefully, this is the spark we need to continue playing like we did today.”

Buckeye Local parlayed strong pitching with solid defense and timely hitting to pocket the nod.

Samantha Ankrom was sharp in the circle for the hosts. The talented sophomore went the route, scattering seven hits while striking out one and walking none.

“Samantha was really sharp today. She had excellent control,” Fetty said. “I am also happy with the defense we played behind her. We made all the plays we needed to make.”

The teams traded goose eggs until Buckeye Local broke through for a run in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of three Barnesville errors. Junior Kaydence Kinyo reached on a dropped flyball and later scored on a pair of errors on a ground ball.

The Panthers added to their lead with a four-spot in the fifth frame.

Ankrom opened the inning with a single. Senior Alexa Williams also singled before Kirsten Faulkner singled in Ankrom. Madison Roset laid down a perfect bunt to plate Williams.

Kassidy George coaxed a walk and quickly stole second. Alli Trekal capped the uprising with a two-run single.

Barnesville averted the shutout with a run in the seventh. Junior Kynlie Cline doubled and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Jasmine Caldwell started in the circle for Barnesville. She pitched well, working into the fifth. She struck out five and walked one. Abigail Johnson finished up, recording one strikeout and one walk.

Barnesville dropped to 3-5 on the campaign.

“We are on the error train right now. We made too many mistakes,” Barnesville head coach Kelly Hanlon said. “We didn’t show up to play today. It was a disappointing performance.

“We are a young team. We started five freshmen today but that is not an excuse for how we played,” she added. “We started out the season strong, winning our first three games. We need to turn things around again.”

Buckeye Local had seven hits on the windy afternoon. Trekal was the lone Panther to notch two hits.

Barnesville equaled Buckeye Local’s hit total. Savanna Robinson paced the Red & Green attack with a double and single while Jayln Skinner produced a pair of singles.

Both teams are in action this afternoon. Barnesville hosts River in a twinbill starting at 4 p.m. Buckeye Local, meanwhile, travels to Harrison Central.

“I am happy for the kids. It has been frustrating not being able to play,” Fetty said. “I am also happy they got their first win. They earned it today.”