BASEBALL: Panthers show what they're capable of in win over No. 3 Comets
ROYAL CENTER — After nearly knocking off Class 1A No. 2 Triton earlier this season, the Pioneer baseball team closed the deal against No. 3 Caston on Tuesday with an 11-7 victory.
The win was just the Panthers’ (4-13, 4-7 HNAC) fourth this season season while at the same time they knocked the Comets (15-4, 12-2) out of contention for the HNAC championship. Triton (17-2, 15-1) has secured the league title outright after Caston’s loss. The Panthers also avenged a 24-6 loss to the Comets Monday in Fulton.
“I’m just excited for obviously the team coming out of yesterday’s game and knowing going into today that it doesn’t matter what happened yesterday,” Pioneer coach Josh Hardy said. “We got a new day today. But I was happy the way that we were aggressive at the plate for the majority of the game, excited about these two guys on the mound, did a great job for us.
And then our defense held them down too. ” Junior right-handers Lane Weldy and Carter Carmichael combined on the win for the Panthers. Weldy went four innings and allowed seven runs (none earned) on six hits and three walks.
Carmichael closed it out with three innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits and three walks. “It feels great. Since I was a freshman we haven’t beat them yet,” Weldy said.