BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Tug Valley baseball came up short in a pair of close games last week, falling by a combined three runs in back-to-back losses to Wayne and Man.
The Panthers dropped a 6-4 decision to the visiting Wayne Pioneers on Tuesday, March 31, at Don Spence Field, then were edged 3-2 by the Man Hillbillies on Friday, April 3, at Naugatuck despite outhitting Man 6-3.
Wayne struck first in the March 31 matchup, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning after Eli Staley doubled to center field and Chance Adkins grounded out.
The Pioneers added another run in the third to build a 3-0 lead before Tug Valley answered by tying the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Wayne, however, took the lead for good in the seventh and held on for the 6-4 win.
Chandler Copley started on the mound for Tug Valley and allowed five hits and four runs over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two.
Staley started for Wayne and finished with nine strikeouts.
Gage Whitt provided pop in the middle of the lineup to lead Tug Valley offensively. Kaden Carey, Gavin Fitzpatrick, Copley, Whitt and Vance each collected one hit for the Panthers.
Tug Valley returned to the field Friday and again found itself in a tight one, this time losing 3-2 to Man.
The Panthers outhit the Hillbillies 6-3 but could not overcome a fourth-inning run that scored on an error.
Dawson Richardson started on the hill for Tug Valley and recorded 17 outs. He allowed just three hits and three runs — only one earned — over 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven and walking five.
Grayson Sanders went the distance for Man, allowing six hits and two runs over seven innings while striking out nine. The Hillbillies did not issue a walk.
Gavin Fitzpatrick led Tug Valley with two hits, while Fitzpatrick and Gage Whitt each drove in a run.
For Man, Landon Cantrell, Sanders and Braxton Sword each had a hit. Hunter Maynor and Sanders each drove in a run.
Travis Vance stole two bases for Tug Valley, while Man finished with four stolen bases.
The Panthers were scheduled to travel to Tolsia for their next game April 8.