SPORTS
Panthers lose to Dodd City in playoffs
The Saint Jo Panthers season came to an end on Thursday night against frequent foe Dodd City in the regional quarterfinals.
The Hornets won both games in the double-header by the scores 8-6 and 12-2, beating the Panthers for the fourth time in five years.
Saint Jo came into the series feeling like it had a chance. There was talk it was a down year for Dodd City and the Panthers’ team was full of experienced upper-classmen looking to turn the narrative in the playoff matchup against the Hornets.
In the first game Saint Jo pitcher Collin Thomas weathered some big hits to limit Dodd City to scoring only one run in the first, third and fifth inning. The Hornets looked to score another run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, but it turned into two runs thanks to an error getting the ball to home plate.
Saint Jo scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jace Johnson led off and got on base due to getting hit by a pitch. He got moved to second on a groundout, but looked like he might be stranded there with two outs. Logan Brawner came through with a blooper into shallow right field that scored Johnson to make it 5-1 heading into the final inning.
Unfortunately, the defense had a bad seventh. A couple of base hits, some free bases given up and on error in the outfield allowed three runs to score, putting the Hornets up 8-1.
Saint Jo would need some sort of miracle comeback in its final three outs and it just nearly got that.
Kile Thurman led off with a single. Thomas followed with a double to drive in Thurman for a run. After Thomas advanced to third base on a passed ball, Trevor O’Neal laid down a bunt to score Thomas. A fielding error while fielding the bunt allowed O’Neal to be safe and advance to second base.
The Hornets changed pitchers, but it did not matter. Matthew Butler-Everson drew a walk before Johnson hit a single to drive in another run and put runners at the corners. Johnson then stole second base, but an error on the throw allowed Buter-Everson to come in and score another run.
Following a fly out for out one, Payton Harris then hit a groundball to third base that resulted in another error that allowed Johnson to come in and score to cut the lead to 8-6.
The next batter struck out for out two, but Trevor Conner’s groundball to third base resulted in another error, putting the tying run on first base with runners at the corners.
Unfortunately, the magic ended as a groundball to the shortstop in the next at-bat resulted in an out at second base to end the game.
Dodd City won 8-6.
Saint Jo was hoping the momentum from how the first game ended would carry over into the second game. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
Dodd City made the Panthers earn their runs in the game by committing no fielding errors. The Hornets also got out to a good start by scoring four runs in the first inning thanks to two singles and three walks.
Saint Jo answered back with a run in the second inning. Brice Durham drew a walk. Harris followed with a single to put runners at the corners with one out. Brawner then came through with a single to drive in a run to make it 4-1.
In the third inning, Dodd City added three runs to its lead thanks to two singles a walk and a fielder’s choice. The Hornets led 7-1.
The Panthers then had a dream scenario to start the fourth inning. Johnson, Durham and Harris led off the inning with back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases with no outs.
It looked like Saint Jo might squander the opportunity as the next two batters struck out, but Kile Thurman drew a walk to score one run. Unfortunately, the next batter popped out to right field for out three. The Hornets lead was 7-2.
Dodd City got that run back and then some in the same inning. Two singles, a walk and a fielding error allowed the Hornets to score three runs to up their lead to 10-2 heading into the fifth inning.
The Panthers had no luck with their bats and Dodd City needed to score only two more runs to end the game early due to run-rule.
A single and a hit batter led off inning before an error trying to field a bunt allowed both runners to come in and score to end the game.
The Hornets won 12-2.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
Nocona
The Nocona Indians picked up dominant wins against Chico in their series against the Dragons last week.
The Indians won both games 11-0 by run-rule after five innings to get their first district wins of the season.
Nocona was coming off losing both games against Lindsay the previous week in its first district series and bounced back in a big way.
In the first game at home last week, the Indians scored six runs in the first inning and five in the third inning which proved to be all the offense they needed.
Kutter Cabrera led the team with three RBIs while Miller Jentry was second with two RBIs. The team finished with nine hits and drew eight walks.
On the mound, Walker Murphey pitched a shut out while striking out seven and allowing three hits. Defensively, the team committed one fielding error.
The second game saw Nocona score all of its runs in the first three innings, highlighted by scoring six runs in the second inning.
Murphey hit a three-run home run to lead the team while Brody Langford and Landon Fatheree each had two RBIs.
On the mound RJ Walker had a big day, throwing a perfect four innings which means he did not allow a hit or walk anyone. He also struck out eight batters, which put him over 100 career strikeouts in high school. The defense committed no fielding errors.
Saint Jo
The Saint Jo Panthers lost their series against Bryson last week.
The first game was a close 3-0 loss, but the second game was 11-0, done after four and half innings due to run-rule.
The Panthers were coming off close losses to Perrin-Whitt from the previous week. They were hoping they could turn their fortune around playing another 1A program.
Unfortunately in the first game, the Cowboys got off to a good start, scoring three runs in the first inning, with two coming with two outs due to an error and a dropped third strike.
Saint Jo’s pitching and defense tightened up after that to not allow another run in the final six innings. Unfortunately, the Panthers had only two hits and four base runners all game as they lost the close game 3-0.
Charlie Evans and Rylan Forrest had the only two hits for Saint Jo in the game as the team struck out 18 times. Trent Gaston ended the game allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out five batters and walking two in six innings of work. The defense committed five fielding errors.
Unfortunately, things did not go as well several days later in game two. Bryson scored three runs in both the first and second innings before scoring five runs in the third inning. Saint Jo was not able to get a hit and drew two walks in the game.
The Panther defense committed six fielding errors which led to only three of the 11 runs given up were earned by the pitching staff who gave up five hits, walked six and hit four batters.
Bellevue
The Bellevue Eagles played Perrin-Whitt last week in a series.
The Pirates won the first game 11-1 by run-rule and the second game score was not updated on Game Changer.
The Eagles were coming off one-sided losses to Bryson the previous week in their first district series and was hoping to play better.
Bellevue did get out to an early lead in the first inning. River Trail hit an RBI single in the top of the first inning to go up 1-0, which proved to be the highlight of the game.
Perrin-Whitt scored three runs in the first inning, one in the second inning, two in the fourth inning and five in the fifth inning to win 11-1.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekly edition of the Bowie News.
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