BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Tug Valley erased two Martin County leads Friday night, using a three-run fifth inning to rally past the Cardinals 5-3 behind a complete-game effort from hurler Gage Whitt.
Martin County held the lead twice during the contest before the Panthers answered late behind timely hitting from Parker Smith and Jackson Jewell.
The Cardinals opened the scoring in the first inning when Aidan Mann singled home a run to give Martin County a 1-0 lead.
Mann struck again in the third inning with another RBI single as the Cardinals pushed the advantage to 2-0.
Tug Valley answered in the bottom half of the third inning, tying the game with a pair of RBI singles. Smith delivered the tying hit as the Panthers evened the score at 2-2.
Martin County regained the lead in the fifth inning when Caige Presley brought home a run on a fielder’s choice to make it 3-2.
The Panthers responded immediately in the bottom of the inning. Smith singled to tie the game before Jewell lined a two-run single to put Tug Valley ahead 5-3.
Martin County threatened late but Gage Whitt closed out the complete-game victory.
Whitt earned the win after allowing six hits and three runs over seven innings while striking out nine and walking three.
Tug Valley finished the night without committing an error defensively.
Smith and Jewell each collected two hits and two RBIs for the Panthers. Whitt also added two hits at the plate. Gavin Fitzpatrick and Chandler Copley each contributed hits while Darian Vance drew two walks and scored twice.
Mann and Hunter Moore led Martin County offensively, with each collecting two hits batting back-to-back in the lineup. Mann finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two stolen bases and a run scored.
Dylan Spence added a hit, a walk and a run scored. Noah Bowens recorded a hit. Presley drove in a run for the Cardinals.
Skyler Green started on the mound for Martin County and allowed two runs on four hits over three innings. Dylan Hale took the loss in relief despite striking out five batters over three innings.