By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

WEST PORTSMOUTH — The Chesapeake Lady Panthers might be taking baby steps, but they are taking steps in the right direction.

Despite losing 5-2 to the Portsmouth West Lady Senators Tuesday, the Lady Panthers continued their steady improvement.

“We’re just a young team and we’re learning to play a lot of new positions,” said Chesapeake coach Aaron Rice. “We played pretty well against a very good team. We’re getting better each time out.”

West (5-0) took a 3-0 led in the third inning on three hits and a wild pitch.

Chesapeake got a run back in the fourth inning on a single by Sarah Rice and Myky Harmon’s triple.

The Lady Panthers cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the fifth on doubles by Anna Mayo and Jordan Porter and a wild pitch.

West added two insurance runs in the bottom of the inning on a single, a wild pitch, a double and passed ball.

Chesapeake had six hits with Anna Mayo going1-2 and Sarah Mayo, Rice, Harmon, Porter and Caitilyn Heffner all 1-3.

Rice took the loss as she went the distance allowing eight hits. She walked five with no strikeouts.

Lexi Kelgey picked up the win as she struck out 14, gave up six hits and walked just one.

The Lady Panthers (0-3) play at South Point Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Chesapeake 000 110 0 = 2 6 0

Ports. West 003 020 x = 5 8 0

Sarah Rice and Caitilyn Heffner. Lexi Kegley and Cheyanne White. W-Kegley (K-14, BB-1). L-Rice (K-0, BB-5). 2B-Chesapeake: Anna Mayo, Jordan Porter; West: Cummings, Bays. 3B-Chesapeake: Myky Harmon. Hitting-Chesapeake: Sarah Mayo 1-3, Sarah Rice 1-3, Caitilyn Heffner 1-3, Myky Harmon 1-2, Anna Mayo 1-3, Jordan Porter 1-3; West: Journey 1-4, Rideout 1-3, Cummings 2-3, White 1-3, Webb 1-2, Bays 1-3, Irwin 1-3.