BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Tug Valley split a two-game stretch last week, rolling past Tolsia 12-2 on the road April 8 before running into a tough Huntington St. Joe club in a 10-0 loss April 10 in Huntington.
The Panthers showed their offensive firepower in the 12-2 road victory over Tolsia in Glen Hayes.
Kaden Carey, Parker Kelly, and Parker Smith combined for five of the team’s 10 hits in the victory. They scored five runs and drove in six.
Smith collected three hits in three at-bats in the win and hit a home run to left field in the third inning. He also singled in the second and in the fifth innings.
The Panthers got on the board in the top of the first inning after Whitt grounded out and Copley doubled down the right field line, each scoring one run.
Tug Valley added four more runs in the top of the third inning on one hit. Kelly laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring a run, and Smith’s homer to left field brought in three runs.
The Panthers added five runs on two hits in the top of the fourth inning. Kelly singled, scoring one run; Smith drew a walk, scoring one run; an error scored one run; Gavin Fitzpatrick drew a walk, scoring one run; and Chandler Copley grounded out, scoring another run.
Gage Whitt started on the hill for Tug. The starter only allowed two hits and no runs over one inning, striking out one and walking none. Williamson stepped on the hill first for Tolsia. The pitcher allowed six hits and nine runs over three and one-third innings, striking out one and walking six. Copley and Richardson each appeared in relief for the Panthers.
Tug Valley accumulated 10 hits in the game. The speedy Panthers stole five bases in the game.
On April 10, the Panthers were shut out by St. Joe of Huntington 10-0 in Huntington.
St. Joe got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Braydun McDowell walked, Cam Kellar tripled to center field, and Hudson Moosavi tripled down the right field line, each scoring one run.
The Irish added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Kellar grounded out, and Pence tripled to center field, each scoring one run.
Gage Whitt started the game on the mound for Tug Valley. The starting pitcher allowed six hits and eight runs (five earned) over 5 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking five.
Wyatt Pence stepped on the hill first for St. Joseph Central. The pitcher surrendered one hit and zero runs over six innings, striking out 10 and walking none.
Dawson Richardson went 1-for-2 at the plate to get the only hit for the Panthers.