BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
It was a Senior Night to remember for the Tug Valley High School baseball team as the Panthers picked up a big win May 11. Coach LeeAnn Blankenship’s squad defeated Class AA Westside 12-4 at Tug’s Don Spence Field in Naugatuck.
The Panthers reached .500 with the win, improving to 15-15 on the season.
Tug Valley honored its three seniors, Gavin Fitzpatrick, Chandler Copley and Gage Whitt before the game.
Copley was the starting and winning pitcher for the Panthers. He tossed 5-2/3 innings and allowed one earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts and five walks.
Dawson Richardson pitched the last 1-1/3 innings, striking out one and walking one while allowing no runs on no hits.
The Panthers outhit Westside 7-5, led by left fielder Jackson Jewell, who was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Fitzpatrick was 2-for-2 with a pair of runs knocked in.
Copley also helped his own cause by going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Parker Kelly added a single. Whitt had two RBIs and Parker Smith had one RBI.
On May 15, the Panthers lost at Shelby Valley 10-4.
Chandler Copley had three hits for the Panthers, including a double. Parker Smith also smacked a double.
On May 14, Tug Valley was edged by East Ridge 8-7 in a road game. No stats were available.
Tug Valley will start regional tournament action this week.