KANSAS CITY, KANSAS -- The Ellsworth Panthers softball team had to settle for a split of Monday's doubleheader with Kansas City Kansas CC.  After coasting to an 11-4 victory in game 1, the Panthers fell, 15-6, in the second game.

The opener saw ECC overcome an early 2-0 deficit by scoring 6 runs in the 3rd inning and 3 in the 4th.  They tacked on 2 more runs in the 7th to finish off the win.  Ellsworth pounded out 13 hits, including a home run by Lilea Prahm, a double and triple for Maddy Harding and a double by Elli Han.  Prahm had 4 RBIs and Taryn Petty and Gracie Pierce each had 2.  The first 3 batters in the lineup -- Harding, Emma Gordon and Han -- scored 2 runs apiece and Allison Paulsen also scored twice.  Taryn Cory picked up the pitching victory, going the distance for her 3rd win. 

KCK came back with a vengeance in the second game.  Pierce homered for the Panthers, Petty and Prahm doubled and Harding had her 2nd triple of the day.  Pierce knocked in 3 runs and Petty 2, and Gordon and Han scored 2 runs each.  Kaitlyn Mick got the start in the circle and went 2 2/3 innings.  Kierstyn Sutton finished up.

The Panthers are slated to play a twinbill against the Culver-Stockton JV on the road Friday.