After poor weather over the weekend forced Neosho County and Independence push back the start of their series, the Panthers came out hot despite the cold temperatures. After winning game one of the series 8-3, the Panthers would cruise in game two winning 14-4 in 8 innings. The Panthers would total 25 hits to score their 22 runs on the day including a season high 16 hits in game two.
Game 1
Daniel Peterson would go the distance on the mound allowing three runs, only two of which were earned. Peterson would allow only three hits while walking five and striking out five in his 7 innings of work to pick up his second win of the season.
The Panthers would stake Peterson to an early lead scoring three in the bottom of the first capped by a two-run homerun off the bat of third baseman Garrett Schaede. After the Pirates battled back to tie the game in the top of the third, the Panthers would answer with a run of their own on a sac fly from catcher Tommy Keith.
The Panthers would tack on four insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth including a two run double from Adam Giacalone. The freshman first baseman would finish the game 3-4 while driving in three runs to push his team leading total to 38.
Game 2
The Panthers would record a season high 16 hits in game two including eight extra base hits. Nick Doughty would lead the way offensively in game two going 3-5 with a double, a triple, two runs batted in and two runs scored. Jon Pomatto would go 2-3 at the plate while driving in four runs while Garrett Schaede would blast his second homerun of the day, a solo shot to lead off the eighth inning.
Adam Giacalone would pick up his team leading fourth win of the season on the mound. The righty would toss 6 innings allowing four runs, only three of which earned while giving up six hits and three walks and striking out eight. Dalton Cox and Dalton Majors would each toss a scoreless inning of relief to close out the win for the Panthers.
With the wins, the Panthers move to 18-8 overall and 10-4 in conference action, while Independence falls to 2-22 overall and 1-13 in the conference. Neosho and Independence will be back in action Tuesday with the first pitch of the double header scheduled for 1:00 pm. The games can be heard on ESPN Radio 1460 and online at http://kkoy.com.
