Panthers baseball cuts down Evergreens
By Robert Whitmire
The battle for the top spot in the Wisconsin Valley Conference took place at Bukolt Park in Stevens Point Tuesday afternoon.
When the dust settled SPASH came out with the big win in convincing fashion by a final of 6-0.
Everest appeared to be ready to score early and often with two men on in the top of the first inning. SPASH managed to work its way out of the jam and went on to score four of its own in the bottom of the inning.
The Panthers put runners at the corners when junior Brady Franz walked to lead off the inning. Franz advanced to third base on a wild throw by the pitcher allowing Brett Ehr to reach first. Junior first baseman Jack Kelly stepped to the plate and belted a two-run double to deep center to put the Panthers on the board.
SPASH scored twice more in the inning including an RBI double off the bat of senior Sam Lawrynk, then played strong defense the rest of the way including double plays in the third and sixth innings to squelch any thoughts Everest Scoring.
“Scoring four in the first inning was a great way to start a big game. I’m really proud of how our players competed today,” said Panthers coach Kraig Terpstra.
SPASH added two runs insurance runs in the sixth inning. The Evergreens came back to load the bases in the seventh but junior Dylan Trigg pitched SPASH out of the threat to seal the win.
“Great pitching by both teams but we got some timely hitting,” Terpstra added.
SPASH is now 14-2 and 8-1 in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. Everest falls to 7 -2 in conference play. The Panthers will take on the Evergreens at D. C. Everest on Thursday, May 17 with the first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.
WP- JD Schultz (5-0) 5 ip, 2 hits, 3 k’s, 3 bb, 0 runs
Dylan Trigg 2 ip, 1 hit, 1 k, 3bb, 0 runs
LP- Trevor Samuelsen 3 ip, 6 hits, 3 k’s, 2 bb, 4 runs, 3 errors
Zach Wix 2 2/3ip 3 hits 1 k, 2 runs 2 er
Matthew Schmidt 1/3ip
SPASH Leading Hitters-
Jack Kelly 3-5 double, 2 rbi
Cole Wright, double
Sam Lawrynk, double
Brett Ehr, double, 2 RBI