December 26, 2024

Panthers baseball claws to win over Wildcats

By CHEYENNE ROCHE

Short stop Cael Turner focuses on the ball coming to him before making the out to first in Friday's 3-2 home victory against West Central Valley. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Creston baseball (10-12) fought their way to a 3-2 home victory Friday against the West Central Valley Wildcats (12-8).

Through the first three innings, the Panthers had nine outs on 10 plate apperances.

Neither team was having much success as the Wildcats had nine outs on 11 plate appearances.

Senior Kyle Strider pitched four innings for Creston, throwing 34 strikes on 63 pitches, striking out three batters and allowing no runs.

The Panthers picked up the pace in the fourth inning, junior McCoy Haines kicking things off for the Panthers with a line drive to centerfield to make it on base.

Haines stole second and third base as Sam Henry was walked.

Creston’s McCoy Haines steals third base. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

A single by incoming-freshman Tom Mikkelsen sent Haines home.

Milo Staver hit a single to second, getting Mikkelsen out, but letting Henry reach home.

The Wildcats responded, loading the bases with only one out to start the fifth.

The Panthers brought in pitcher Parker Varner who ended the game with 28 strikes on 36 pitches, striking out two batters and allowing two runs.

On the verge of forfeiting their lead, the Panthers’ defense stepped into action. Shortstop Cael Turner lept to catch a ball for the out and second baseman Dylan Hoepker followed suit with a catch to end the inning without giving up a run.

First baseman Sam Henry readies to catch the ball for the out at first. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

West Central Valley came back in the sixth with five sequential singles to send two home, typing the game.

Henry began the bottom of the sixth with a walk to first and stealing second.

The pitcher tried to catch Henry off guard leading off of second, but an overthrow to the second baseman gave Henry the opportunity to steal third.

Mikkelsen found his second RBI in a single to send Henry home for the winning run.

They finished the game with three outs on three Wildcat batters.

First baseman Sam Henry readies to catch the ball for the out at first. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

The Panthers return to action tonight at home against St. Albert, ranked second in the Hawkeye 10.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.