The Russellville Panthers won a pair of close games in three games recently, giving them experience in tight games. After a 3-2 decision over Allen County-Scottsville on Saturday, they won 10-7 over Caverna on Monday. Both games were at Kelly Russell Field.
Barrett Croslin scored the winning run in the final inning. After he singled with one out, Tyler Hall walked and Jacob Proctor was issued an intentional walk. With Zach Denney at the plate, Croslin scored his second run of the game on a wild pitch.
Hall, George Collins and Colby Nichols also had hits, with Hall scoring the other run. Proctor and Collins each had an RBI. Croslin stole two bases.
Hall got the win, going the distance, allowing the pair of runs on five hits and three walks while striking out 13. T.K. Hampton worked two walks with Dalton Clark, Proctor and Hall each picking up one.
Coach Greg Shelton’s team scored six runs in the third inning to come back on Caverna after having allowed the Colonels five runs in the top of the inning. In that inning, Zach Denney doubled in Proctor and with two outs, Nichols singled, Wesley Stratton walked, Hampton was hit by a pitch, Croslin had an RBI double and Hall singled.
Denney led off the fourth with a homer. He finished with three hits, seven total bases, and two each of RBIs and runs. Croslin doubled, singled, drove in two runs, and reached on an error. Hall singled twice, had an RBI, and stole two bases. Proctor singled, walked twice and scored two runs. Collins walked and hit a sacrifice fly. Nichols had two hits, scored two runs and drove in a run. Stratton walked and scored a run. Hampton singled, was hit by a pitch and scored a run on a good slide. Collins walked, as all nine starters reached base at least once.
Croslin struggled at times on the mound but pitched the complete game victory. He retired the first seven Colonels he faced, but the visitors then scored five runs on a walk and six straight hits. He gave up five more hits and a walk while the Panthers were making two errors. Catcher Hall and shortstop Denney combined to throw out Ryan Neely when he was trying to steal second at the start of the sixth, and then Croslin struck out three straight batters and got the final two outs on ground balls. Neely, Aaron Reed and Anthony Phillips all had two hits for Caverna. Relief pitcher Jordan Slagle was on base twice.
Croslin recorded seven strikeouts in getting the win.