MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – A six game unbeaten streak came to an end last Friday for the Panther baseball team after it dropped both games of a doubleheader to visiting Etna.
Facing the Lions’ ace Emmett Stacher, a hard-throwing righty in the opener, Maxwell managed just two hits, but didn’t do itself any favors after issuing eight free passes in a 1-8 loss.
“Their pitcher was good,” said Panthers’ coach Tyler Wells. “He attacked us, but they were also able to take advantage of the walks with timely hitting.”
Maxwell’s lone run came in the third inning when Vincent Orozco singled to drive in Lucas Bowen, who had reached on a double.
In the nightcap, the Lions also got the best of the Panthers, who despite a nice outing on the mound from Massey Baker fell 0-3.
Baker, who according to Wells “pitched well enough to win,” went six innings, scattering four hits, yielding just a single earned run and striking out nine, then additionally made things interesting in the final frame after doubling, but although the Panthers had the tying run at the plate, they couldn’t score.
Alex Krug and Levi Velazquez were the only other two Panthers to reach base via a hit.
There were some bright moments in the field for Maxwell highlighted by catcher Colt Montgomery throwing out two runners at second and an over the shoulder catch by Bowen in left field, but several lapses ended up costing the Panthers as Wells explained.
“Against good teams the little things count and they came back to bite us,” Wells said. “We had our chances, hit the ball hard a couple times, but right at guys and just couldn’t put enough good at bats together to get the job done. Credit to Etna, they didn’t make any mistakes and put more pressure on us than we did on them. This could be a great learning opportunity for us as we need to learn to fight through adversity and how to win in games where not everything goes our way.”
Weather permitting, the Panthers (6-2) opened Mid-Valley League play this week on Wednesday when they hosted Portola in another twin bill.