Panthers suffer first tournament loss
BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
GLENVILLE, W.Va. — Tug Valley Panthers lost their first regional tournament game to the Gilmer County Titans in an 11-1 loss Thursday, May 15. The tourney format is double elimination. Thus coach LeeAnn Blankenship’s squad remained alive.
The Titans opened the scoring in the first frame after Jacob Stewart singled to drive home a run.
Panther outfielder Conner Gillman doubled down the left field line, which helped Tug Valley tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the second inning.
A single by Kolten Holbert gave Gilmer County the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the second inning.
Then the Titans added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Stewart doubled and Gauge Goodrich singled down the right field line, both knocking in a run.
The Titans scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Tyler Ratliff lined a triple to get an RBI and then Holbert tripled, scoring another run. Remington Huffman laid down a sacrifice bunt to bring in one more run and Brody Beall singled, scoring two runs.
Dawson Richardson started on the mound for Tug Valley. The lanky righty allowed five hits and four runs over 2 1/3 innings, taking the loss.
Braylon Mencer began the game for Gilmer County. The starter allowed four hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking five Panthers.
Gillman went 1-for-3 at the plate and had one run batted in. Gage Whitt, Hayden Brumfield, Gillman, and Jacob Jones each collected one hit for Tug Valley.
Gilmer County banged out 14 hits in the game. Lead-off hitter Holbert led his Titans team with a 4-for-4 performance. Lexington Grogg collected three hits for the Titans. Gilmer County drew six bases on balls to get several runners on base.
The speedy Titans swiped four stolen bases for the game.
Tug Valley awaits the winner of another game. The inclement weather postponed action Friday, May 16 and delayed the Panthers continuing in the Class A tourney until this week.
At press time, their next opponent was not available. However, it was likely they could have a rematch with highly rated Huntington St. Joe, a team they upset earlier in the regional.