BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Dawson Richardson struck out 15 in a complete-game gem against Mingo Central as Tug Valley went 4-1 over a five-game stretch. The Panthers beat Mingo Central, Poca and Hannan while dropping a one-run decision at Man.

Tug Valley 4, Mingo Central 1

Dawson Richardson was dominant on the mound Friday, ringing up 15 strikeouts in Tug Valley’s 4-1 victory over rival Mingo Central at home in Naugatuck.

Richardson gave up five hits and one run over seven innings while walking one.

Tug Valley opened the scoring in the first after Darian Vance grounded out, plating one run.

Tug Valley extended the lead in the bottom of the second. Chandler Copley singled, scoring one run, to give the Panthers the edge 2-1.

Ryan Fabin began the game for Mingo Central Miners. The southpaw surrendered five hits and four runs over four innings, striking out four and walking seven.

Gage Whitt led Tug Valley with two RBIs. Jackson Jewell and Copley each collected two hits for the Panthers. Gavin Fitzpatrick reached base a trio of times with three walks.

Tug Valley did not commit a single error in the field.

Fabin went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Miners in hits.

Tug Valley 6, Poca 4

Tug Valley beat the Class AA Poca Dots 6-4 on April 20 at Don Spence Field in Naugatuck.

The Panthers scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 5-0 lead, then held off Poca the rest of the game.

Dawson Richardson fired a complete-game win on the mound for the Panthers to pick up the win. He tossed all seven innings and gave up four runs, but only two earned. He scattered eight hits, striking out batters and walking two.

The Dots outhit Tug Valley 8-6 in the game as six different Tug Valley players had one hit each.

Senior center fielder Gavin Fitzpatrick had a double and one RBI. Lleyton Brumfield, the Tug DH, also had a double.

Kaden Carey singled and drove in two runs for the TV. Gage Whitt had a single and one RBI. Chandler Copley and Darian Vance each had a hit. Parker Kelly had one RBI.

Nate Christian was the starter for the Dots and was tagged with the loss.

Jackson McClanahan and Landon Bee paced Poca at the plate as the pair each had two hits.

Man 5, Tug Valley 4

Despite a five-run deficit in the fifth inning, Tug Valley fell just short, eventually falling 5-4 to the Man Hillbillies on the road April 22.

Grayson Sanders earned the win for Man. The pitcher allowed three hits and four runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out four and walking one.

Chandler Copley took the loss for Tug Valley. The starter went six innings, giving up five runs (one earned) on six hits, striking out six and walking two.

Darian Vance, Dawson Richardson and Gage Whitt each collected one hit for Tug Valley. Gavin Fitzpatrick, Parker Kelly and Whitt each drove in one run. Fitzpatrick stole two bases.

Braxton Sword went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Man in hits. Caleb Brown and Sword each drove in one run for Man.

Tug Valley 12, Hannan 2 (Game 1)

Tug Valley rolled past Hannan 12-2 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday night at Hannan.

The Panthers improved to 9-11 on the season and pounded out 11 hits in the win.

Gage Whitt went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and three RBIs to lead the Tug bats. Freshman Darian Vance was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Freshman Jackson Jewell, another freshman, was 2-for-2 with two runs batted in.

Parker Smith doubled and drove in a pair. Kaden Carey singled and knocked in two.

Gavin Fitzpatrick, Parker Kelly and Lleyton Brumfield added singles. Chandler Copley had one RBI.

Whitt was the starter and winner on the hill as he tossed one inning and allowed two runs on one hit with two strikeouts and two walks.

Smith pitched four innings in relief and yielded no runs on two hits with 11 strikeouts and two walks.

Tug Valley 19, Hannan 1

The Panthers won the nightcap of the doubleheader by pounding Hannan 19-1.

Jewell earned the win for Tug Valley. He allowed zero hits and zero runs over two innings, striking out three and walking three. Vance collected the save.

The Panthers collected 17 hits in the game. Jewell and Richardson each collected three hits for Tug Valley. Smith and Whitt each drove in three runs, while Copley and Vance each collected multiple hits for Tug Valley.