The Panthers won their second game this week as they traveled to Geneseo on Wednesday and came home with an impressive 7-3 win over the Leafs.
Bryce VanDeWostine got the win for EP allowing 3 hits and 3 runs over 3 innings striking out 2 and walking 1. He got help from Reese Duncan who also pitched three innings giving up 4 hits, 3 walks and striking out 1.
EP recorded 11 knocks in the game with Kolby Franks having a big day at the plate. The senior was on fire going 3-4 with a double, a triple, 2 RBIs, 2 stolen bases and scored a run. Tucker VanDeWostine and Connor Sibley each had 2 hits and 2 RBIs.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard in the 1st inning with Mason Misfeldt leading off the game with a walk advancing to second on a wild pitch and scoring on a RBI single by Sibley. Tucker VanDeWostine added to the lead with a single to center that scored Sibley to make it 2-0.
EP added to the lead in the 2nd with Sibley driving in Connor Poff on a ground out followed by Franks picking up one of his RBIs with a two-out single to score Misfeldt to make it 4-0 after 2.
The Panther bats continued to make contact as Reese Duncan lead off the 3rd inning with a single and eventually scored on an RBI knock by Bryce Jepson to make it 5-0.
Geneseo broke through in the bottom of the 3rd scoring three. The first tally came on an error by Franks and two more on a double to make it 5-3.
The Panther offense immediately responded in the 4th with a Tucker VanDeWostine single driving in Franks after the senior had doubled to left making it 6-3.
Duncan took the hill in the 4th and quickly found himself in a jam. After loading the bases with Leafs courtesy of two walks and a hit by pitch and 1 out he induced a ground ball to shortstop Kolby Franks to start a double play to end the inning.
EP added one more run when Franks drove in Sibley with a triple to make it 7-3 after 6.
Geneseo started a threat in the bottom of the 7th with a single and a double. Coach Brad Tichler brought in senior Austin Cole who struck out the next three hitters to secure the win and earn the save.
Tichler summed up the contest saying, “The pitchers threw well and it might be the best we have looked at the plate all year. It was a good team win.”
The 5-9 (3-3) Panthers travel to Morrison on Thursday.
