After starting the season 5-0, the Portal Panthers have struggled to find their footing in the last seven games.
    The Panthers are currently riding a seven-game skid, including an 11-1 loss to Emanuel County Institute Friday night.
    “Obviously we did not play good baseball tonight. Defensively, we just made too many mistakes to stay in the ballgame against a team of that caliber,” said Portal baseball coach Dennis Moore. “The boys have to understand that we did it earlier in the season. Their confidence is a little down right now and we just need to keep plugging away and hope things turn back around.”
    In the past seven games, Portal was outscored 47-9. Moore said the recent hitting slump is partially due to facing quality pitching, but also mentioned his team lacking a little confidence lately.
    “When they’re struggling, they’re already down on themselves. As a coach, you have to find ways to build them back up. Of course nothing’s going to do that like success in the ball game,” Moore said. “We just have to go out and get it done.”
    The Panthers didn’t have much success against a quality ECI (6-8, 3-3 Region 3-A) opponent.
    With Panthers’ (5-7, 0-7 Region) ace Cole Busby on the mound Friday night, the Bulldogs were able to score 11 runs on nine hits. The Panthers also had four errors in the field.
    Busby pitched five innings giving up just three earned runs on three strikeouts.
    “We have to go back at it every practice. We have to practice like we play. If we lose focus in practice, we’ll get this same result over and over,” Busby said after a disappointing loss.
    ECI’s David Durden and Trent Smoyer, who teamed up for five hits and three RBIs.
    Down 3-0, the Panthers tried to battle back in the bottom of the second inning. Back-to-back hits from Michael Foreman and Jade Street allowed Tyler Hagan to drive in the Panthers’ lone run. However, the Bulldogs would score eight unanswered points to close out the game in the sixth inning.
    “We have to turn it around. Bats need to get hot. Defense needs to get better,” Busby said.
    The Panthers will get a chance to heat their bats up this Tuesday when they take on Savannah Country Day at home. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
    Moore said he has not decided on a starter, but says Jake Brown and Street will be on full rest. Moore also mentioned the possibility of Busby getting a few innings of work.
    “The boys lost their confidence a little bit and that’s what we’re facing right now. So even when we face pitchers that they’ve hit earlier in the season, it’s hard to hit the ball when you’re not confident,” Moore said.