Hot start leads Panthers to conference victory
Jun. 5—GLENWOOD — The Panthers (6-6) didn't waste any time Friday as they scored four runs in the first inning to get a lead on the Glenwood Rams (3-3) before winning the conference matchup 9-3.
Getting things started was senior catcher Kyle Strider with a single to left field. Dylan Calvin came in to run for Strider, stealing not only second and third base, but also home on a wild pitch.
Incoming freshman Tom Mikkelsen hit to centerfield, the ball bouncing off the glove of the defender. First baseman Sam Henry was walked and Dylan Hoepker singled, Mikkelsen getting home and Henry landing on third.
Designated hitter Quinten Fuller hit a double to send Henry and Hoepker home.
"The first inning got us going with four runs there, but throughout the night we continued to battle," Coach Brandon Phipps said. "Our entire line up had a hit on the night, except one. It was a good team effort offensively."
The Panthers had success defensively as well, shutting out the Rams for five innings.
"Our pitching and defense was outstanding tonight," Phipps said. "Parker Varner did a great job on the mound attacking a good hitting team. Our defense was able to make plays behind him."
Varner allowed only one run in his six innings.
In the fifth, Creston got back to work at the plate. Third baseman McCoy Haines followed up his single with stealing second and third base. Cael Turner was walked and stole second.
When Mikkelsen hit, the outfielder threw to home, missing Haines and allowing Turner and Mikkelsen to grab an extra bag.
"I am happy for our guys," Phipps said. I am proud of our guys getting back to competing pitch by pitch."
Another wild pitch allowed Turner to steal home and Mikkelsen to take third. Henry hit a sacrifice fly to send Mikkelsen home for their seventh run of the night and his second.
In the sixth, a home run by Kayden Anderson put the Rams on the board with one.
Creston didn't let up, scoring another two in the final inning. Haines had a single and a steal before a double from Turner sent him home. Tanner Ray came in to run for Turner, Henry hitting deep to get Ray home.
The Rams needed eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie or nine to take the walk-off victory.
After striking out the first batter, the Panthers pulled Varner to put Turner on the mound.
Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Anderson. Four balls in a row were thrown to the batter who hit the home run in the previous inning, not allowing him the chance for a grand slam.
The Rams found home plate twice, but fieldwork by the Panthers found two outs at first to seal their win.
"Tonight was good to get back on the right track in regards to conference play," Phipps said. "We need to continue to improve as a team and look forward to getting back at it next week."
The Panthers play two conference teams early this week: tonight in Atlantic and Clarinda visits on Tuesday.
