Pine Grove was scheduled for a pair of 7 inning games on Saturday. The weather was so perfect for baseball, they decided to play a little extra.
If you’re going to play extra innings, you might as well win. If you’re going to win, walk off wins are as good as any.
The Panthers played 23 total innings in the doubleheader, defeating Bruce 2-1 on a walk-off 2-RBI single from Jacob Hopkins in the bottom of the 15th then getting a walk-off steal of home by Carson Rowland in the bottom of the 8th against Baldwyn. The pair of victories moved the Panthers to 3-1 on the year.
Against Bruce, starter Kyle Thrasher was lights out through 8 scoreles innings as he struck out 8 and scattered 3 hits. Jacob Hopkins came in and threw 6 scoreless innings of 1 hit baseball, striking out 3. Cooper Rinehart took over to pitch the 15th and gave up an unearned run on a questionable playcall on an attempted double play.
In the bottom of the 15th, Carson Rowland and Cason Jones, who led the Panthers with three hits, reached to set up Hopkins last at bat heroics.
Walk off game winning hit in the bottom of the 15th inning for Pine Grove! Jacob Hopkins takes a pitch up the middle, scoring Carson Rowland and Cason Jones for a 2-1 win over Bruce. It was 0-0 headed to the 15th in a great pitching and defense duel. pic.twitter.com/ARkTj6cy3A
Against Baldwyn, now a 1A foe of the Panthers, Pine Grove fell behind 7-0 headed to the bottom of the 6th inning before rallying to tie and eventually win the game in extra innings.
DJ Smith launched his first homerun, Cason Jones continued his hot streak at the plate by going 3-4 with a pair of triples and Rowland added a pair of hits. Rinehart again picked up the win, throwing 3 innings of no-hit baseball to shut the Bearcats down.
Kyle Thrahser tossed an 8 inning gem for Pine Grove
