Pirates clinch districts, Panthers season comes to end in decisive game three

The Porter Pirates came into the day’s matchup needing just one win having defeated the Porum Panthers 4-1 on day one but the Panthers would have other plans for game two.

Porum 7 Porter 5 (Game Two)

The Panthers would be the home team in the first game after winning the coin flip so the Pirates would start off first and would score quick on an RBI single groundball from Landyn Smith to score Blake Cole from third but a fly out on next bat would bring the inning to a close. The Panthers would go three up and three down in the inning and there wouldn’t be another run scored until top of third when Smith reached first base on error and Cole would take advantage and score another run. Top of fourth the Pirates would get another run, Despite it was a ground out it gave Mason Plunk a chance to score. Bottom of the inning the Panthers would get their first run on an RBI single from Kyle Rock on a line drive to center field to score Braden Catron from third, Waylon Dishman would get an RBI single on a ground ball to left field to score Rylind Tillery. The biggest play would come on an RBI triple on a ground ball to left field from Brayden Stinnett to score Rock and JR Robison who was courtesy running for Dishman. Isaiah Sallee would reach first on error and score Stinnett in the process. Michael Wright would get an RBI double on a ground ball to center field to score Sallee. Top of fifth the Pirates would answer back with back to back RBI singles from Mason Plunk and Blake Cole to score Cash Cole and Cyle McElmurry to make it a one run game. Bottom of sixth the Panthers would add on another run, Despite it being on a ground out, Tillery would score from third and it would be the only other run scored but the defense would come up big to force a decisive if game.

Gage Scarberry pitched a majority of the game for the Panthers allowing six hits and five runs over five innings and striking out two. Rylind Tillery threw in relief and recorded the last six outs to earn the save for the Panthers. Landyn Smith threw the entire game for the Pirates allowing 11 hits and seven runs over six innings, striking out and walking one.

Rylind Tillery and Kyle Rock each had multiple hits for the Panthers, Tillery lead the team in hits with three hits in three at bats. Mason Plunk and Tyler Durrett each had multiple hits to lead the Pirates.

Porter 12 Porum 2

The Panthers would jump right back into action shortly after forcing game three to keep their season alive, The first inning would be scoreless for the Panthers but the Pirates would get on the board first on an RBI single from Logan Crain to score Blake Cole but Tyler Durrett would be out at second on a fielder’s choice, Jaxon Smith would drill a line drive to center field for an RBI double to score Landyn Smith and Crain. Panthers would go three up and three down in the top of the inning, The Pirates would continue their hot streak with an RBI triple to left field from Mason Plunk to score Cyle McElmurry, A wild pitch at home plate would give Plunk the chance to score. Blake Cole would then score on an error, Smith would get an RBI single on a groundball to score Crain. Top of third the Panthers would get on the board on an RBI single from Rylind Tillery to right field to score Trevor Schexnayder who was running for Cooper Franklin and Michael Wright would also score but two quick outs brought an end to the inning. Pirates would go three up and three down to close the inning. Top of the fourth the Panthers needed to get more runs but a fly out to short would strand runners in scoring position. Bottom fourth and the Pirates added two more runs on an RBI single line drive to center field from Crain to score Plunk and Blake Cole, The next run would come on loaded bases which scored Cash Cole from third. Cyle McElmurry would come up with the RBI single walkoff to score the two runs needed to clinch districts.

Rylind Tillery started the game for the Panthers lasting two innings and allowing eight hits and seven runs while striking out one and walking one. Waylon Dishman and Kyle Rock pitched in relief. Mason Plunk pitched the whole game for the Pirates allowing two runs on four hits and striking out seven.

Isaiah Sallee, Brayden Stinnett, Michael Wright and Rylind Tillery all had one hit to lead the Panthers in hits. Blake Cole, Landyn Smith and Logan Crain all had multiple hits for the Pirates. Blake Cole lead the team going 3-3 at the plates. The Pirates didn’t commit a single error. Cole made the most plays with seven

The Panthers season ends at 18-9.