The Panthers picked up their first win of the season after losing to Sterling on Friday. EP trailed twice in the game but took the lead when it mattered with Gavin VanDyke getting out of a bases loaded situation in the seventh to get the win 6-5.
The Storm jumped on Panther starter Alastaire Sweetser in the first as their first two hitter reached on a walk and an error, one of five EP would commit in the game. An RBI single and a sacrifice fly made it 2-0.
EP tied the game at in the third with Cade Huisman delivering a two out, two RBI double driving in Evan Steimle, who was hit by a pitch and Braedyn Frank who reached on an error.
BV reclaimed the lead in the fifth on a two out error by Sweetser to make it 3-2.
Evan Steimle led off the fifth getting hit by a pitch for the second time, he would be plunked three times in the game with the team collecting 5 HBPs in the contest. After swiping second he came in on a single by Frank to tie the score at 3. Sawyer Copeland joined the hit by pitch crew and came around to score on a Carter Hadaway single to make it 4-3 after five.
It was BV’s turn to bounce back as they scored two in the top of the sixth on a bases loaded single to lead 5-4.
Undeterred, EP would rally in the bottom of the frame as they loaded the bases with one out, courtesy of a hit by pitch, a walk, and an infield error. Sawyer Copeland came up clutch as he drove a single to left driving in two to put the home team up 6-5.
The win didn’t come easy as the Storm loaded the base after two were out in the top[ of the seventh on a single, an error, and a walk. VanDyke then collected his second and biggest strikeout of the night to secure the victory.
VanDyke, a sophomore, earned the win allowing 3 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) striking out 2 and walking 2 in two innings of work. Sweetser allowed 2 hits and 3 runs (0 earned) over five innings, striking out 4 and walking 1.
BV’s starter, Logan Philhower, struck out 11 over four innings allowing 2 hits, 2 runs (zero earned) and walking 3. Three Storm pitchers combined to collect 16K’s in the game.
Copeland and Huisman each drove in 2 runs for EP.
Panther coach, Jeff Wunderlich enjoyed the first win. “The guys stayed in the game until the last out. I’m proud of how they over came some defensive miscues and took advantage of BV’s. We pitched well tonight and had key hits to come from behind multiple times.”
The Panthers (1-1) will join their softball counterparts as they head to Knoxville on Wednesday.
