The Loudon and Lenoir City High School softball teams clashed April 4 for the first time this season, and it was the Lady Panthers coming out on top as they cruised to a 16-3 win at Lenoir City Intermediate/Middle School.

“It’s always a pretty good feeling when you can beat your rival,” Mike Zeller, LCHS head softball coach, said. “Coming into this game, I just kept telling the girls to relax and just play like I know they’re capable of playing. They know it’s a rivalry and sometimes the nerves or the excitement can affect the way you play. Obviously, they didn’t let that happen and we were able to come out and get a big win for our program.”