BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — It was a successful Senior Night for the Tug Valley baseball players, staff and fans as the Panthers downed the Van Bulldogs 9-4 on April 29 at Don Spence Field in Naugatuck.

Senior Julian Vance led the offense with three hits including a home run over the left field fence.

Tug Valley jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, thanks to a double by Dakota Ooten. Coach Teddy Hall’s team scored three more runs in the second and 4 in the third inning to take a commanding lead.

Van scored all of its runs in the fourth frame.

Chandler Copley singled in the second to bring in a run and Vance’s homer gave TVHS a 5-0 advantage.

Vance singled, Ashton Smith doubled and Conner Lackey had an RBI single to lead the Panther’s rally in the third inning.

Copley picked up the win on the mound for Tug Valley. Several players pitched for the Panthers since it was Senior Night.

Patrick Frame took the loss on the hill for the Bulldogs.

Austin Smith and Ashton Smith collected multiple hits for the home team. Vance and Ashton Smith stole multiple bases which helped with the scoring rallies. As a team, the Panthers smacked 11 hits in the game.

The victory improved Tug’s record to 12-13.

Man 8, Tug Valley 0

MAN, W.Va. — The Man Hillbillies shutout the Tug Valley Panthers 8-0 in a game May 1 at Man.

Bo Thompson got the win on the hill for Man, while Gage Whitt took the loss for the Panthers. Austin Smith came on in relief for TVHS.

Julian Vance led Tug in hitting going 1-for-3.