The first game of a series to decide a conference champion was all that any fan could ask for and more as the teams battled for 12 innings before Cowley finally pushed the winning run across with one out in the bottom of the 12
th. The loss snapped Neosho's school record win streak at 21 games.
Game 1
The Panthers touched up Cowley starting pitcher Andrew Polly for five runs in his 6.1 innings of work. The sophomore lefty had allowed only 6 runs in his previous 64.2 innings of work; however Cowley closer Robbie Rea tossed 5.2 innings allowing only two runs to pick up the win.
Neosho starting pitcher Daniel Peterson tossed 5.1 innings, allowing only a single run through his first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. Cowley would push across four in the sixth to chase Peterson. Lefty Dalton Cox came out of the pen to relieve Peterson and would strand a pair of runners on base.
The Panthers would finally plate a run in the top of the seventh to force extra innings, and would finally regain the lead in the eighth only to see Cowley answer back with a pair of runs of their own. Dalton Majors threw three scoreless innings before finally surrendering the winning run in the bottom of the 12
th.
Every Panther starter collected a hit in the game; however they would strand 16 runners in the contest. Caleb Compton led the way at the plate going 3-4 with a pair of runs driven in and a walk.
Game 2
The Panthers would fall behind 2-0 after two innings in the second game of the double header before scoring runs in each of the next five innings to pick up the victory 10-5.
Adam Giacalone went the distance on the mound for the Panthers to pick up his ninth win of the season. Giacalone allowed only 2 earned runs while walking none and scattering eight hits in his seven innings of work.
It was a balanced offensive attack for the Panthers again as 8 different batters collected a hit and 7 different people scored a run. Eric Dawson led the way at the plate going 2-5 with a pair of RBI's and a pair of runs scored. Austen Colt chipped in a pair of RBI's and his team leading fifth triple of the year.
