BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
GLEN HAYES, W.Va. — The Tug Valley baseball team won its third game in a row edging rival Tolsia 6-4 on Friday, April 19 at the Rebels home turf.
Tug Valley took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning and added two more runs in the third frame. They held on to a 6-4 lead as the Rebels scored runs in the middle of the game.
The Panthers banged out seven hits led by Austin Smith, who had three singles. Jacob Jones smacked a double for Coach LeeAnn Blankenship’s squad. Smith also had three stolen bases and scored two runs, while Gavin Fitzpatrick swiped a pair of bases. Dawson Richardson and Gage Whitt also had singles for Tug Valley.
Smith also got the win on the mound for TVHS, while Whitt came on in relief to record a save.
Williamson homered for Tolsia, while G. Dawson cracked a double.
J. VanHoose took the loss on the hill for the Rebels.
Tug Valley 8, Westside 0
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Tug Valley Panthers improved to 6-9 on the season with an 8-0 win over the Westside Renegades on Wednesday, April 23 at Don Spence Field in Naugatuck.
The Panthers took an early 2-0 lead and added runs in the third and fourth innings.
First-year head coach LeeAnn Blankenship said her team “is pushing to get better each day” and that “they played well” against Westside.
Senior hurler Austin Smith got the win on the mound, pitching a complete game shutout. He did not allow any runs, had four strikeouts and showed good control with no walks.
Gavin Fitzpatrick got on base in all four of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base and two RBIs. That is the most RBIs he has posted since back in March. Another player making a difference was Elijah Fluty, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base.
Gage Whitt, Chandler Copley and C. Gillman all had base hits for the Panthers.
K. Vance took the loss on the hill for Westside.
Tug Valley has been performing well recently, as they have won four of their last five match-ups. Westside dropped their record down to 6-9.
Mingo Central 3, Tug Valley 1
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Tug Valley Panthers lost a tough one on the diamond to county rival Tug Valley 3-1 Tuesday, April 22.
Trailing 1-0 heading into the seventh inning, Mingo Central scored three runs and held on to pull out the win.
Gavin Fitzpatrick, Gage Whitt and Elijah Fluty all had singles for Tug Valley.
Dylan Vance, N. Newsome and Corey Mahon all had two hits to lead the Miners of Mingo Central.
Chandler Copley took the loss on the mound for TVHS in relief of Whitt.
Ryan Fabin got the pitching win for MCHS. Vance got the save.
Tug Valley 7, TVC 4
CROSS LANES, W.Va. — Tug Valley Panthers defeated the Teays Valley Christian Lions 7-4 on Thursday, April 4.
Jacob Jones started the game for Tug Valley Panthers. The pitcher allowed three hits and two runs (one earned) over three innings, striking out six and walking just one.
Chandler Copley pitched one inning of shutout ball for Tug Valley Panthers in relief. The righty gave up one hit, striking out two and walking one. Dawson Richardson also saw action on the mound for TV.
Gavin Fitzpatrick and Jones led the offense for TVHS. They each collected two hits for Tug Valley while hitting back-to-back. Austin Smith, Jones, and Copley each drove in one run for the Tug Valley Panthers. The Panthers had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating six walks for the game. Smith and Richardson led the team with two bases on balls each. Elijah Fluty stole two bases. The Panthers stole six bases in the game.
Tug Valley inched closer to the .500 mark and is now 7-9 on the season.