BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W. Va. — Tug Valley put together a strong week on the diamond, leaning on dominant pitching and steady production at the plate to earn back-to-back wins over East Ridge and Phelps.
The Panthers opened the stretch March 24 with a 5-1 victory over visiting East Ridge. They then returned March 26 to overwhelm Phelps 13-1 in a five-inning mercy-rule win at Don Spence Field.
With the two victories, Tug Valley improved to 2-1 on the season.
Against East Ridge, Tug Valley overcame an early deficit behind a complete-game gem from Dawson Richardson.
Richardson struck out 11 over seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits while walking two as the Panthers pulled away for the win.
East Ridge struck first in the top of the opening inning when Jayce Cantrell delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the Warriors’ only run.
Tug Valley answered in the second and moved in front for good.
The Panthers took a 2-1 lead after East Ridge dropped a third strike and Gavin Fitzpatrick drew a walk, with both miscues leading to runs.
Tug Valley finished with 10 hits in the win, paced by Chandler Copley and Darian Vance, who collected three hits apiece. Kaden Carey added two hits.
Jackson Jewell, Copley, Parker Smith and Vance each drove in a run for the Panthers.
East Ridge starter Cole Ratliff battled through 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs, none earned, on 10 hits while striking out nine and walking three.
Ratliff, Mason Hamilton and Silas Wilson each had a hit for the Warriors.
Two days later, the Panthers were even more explosive.
Tug Valley pounded out 10 hits and broke the game open with a seven-run fourth inning to cruise past Phelps 13-1 in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule.
The Panthers used three pitchers to combine on a two-hitter.
Chandler Copley earned the win after working the first 1 2/3 innings. He allowed one earned run on two hits, struck out two and walked one.
Gage Whitt followed with 2 1/3 innings of hitless, scoreless relief, striking out four and walking one.
Freshman Jackson Jewell closed the door with a scoreless fifth, striking out two.
At the plate, Copley led the way by going 3 for 3 with a double and three RBIs.
Parker Kelly, batting ninth and playing right field, went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.
Ben Brumfield added a hit and drove in two runs, while Gavin Fitzpatrick and Whitt each singled and knocked in a run. Dawson Richardson also drove in a run for the Panthers.
The seven-run fourth turned a comfortable lead into a rout, giving Tug Valley all the cushion it needed to seal its second straight win.