NACA Tournament (Division #2): Panthers – 5    Cincinnati Trailblazers – 3

The Panthers opened up play in the 2017 NACA (National Association of Christian Athletes) baseball tournament in Dayton, Tennessee against the Cincinnati Trailblazers (OH). Playing at Bledsoe County High School, the two teams took to the diamond at 9:30 on a bright, sunny morning.

A coin flip determined the home team and the Panthers were designated as the visiting team and got to hit first. After a quick out, Parker Pocock reached on an error by the Trailblazer second baseman.  He advanced to second when James Reed drew a base on balls.  Cal Hucks slammed a double to left field, plating both runners, giving the Panthers an early 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, James Reed, the Panthers starting hurler, set the Trailblazers down in order, striking out two.

Both teams were scoreless in the second inning and the Panthers were blanked in the top of the third, but the Trailblazers tied the game in the bottom of that frame. The Trailblazers drew a walk with one out and then the Trailblazer shortstop, Bacon, hit a long home run to left field.

The Panthers responded immediately, plating two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Cal Hucks singled with one out.  Danny Waller and Matthew Derrick hit back to back doubles.  Cal scored on an error by the Trailblazer shortstop and Danny scored on Matthew’s double.

The Panthers scored an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning. Parker Pocock walked and stole second base.  James Reed then hit a ball in the hole between third and short and the Trailblazer shortstop made a nice play on the ball but his throw sailed over the first baseman’s head, allowing Parker to round third and keep going, sliding in to home just ahead of the throw.

The Trailblazers scored a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to draw within two but the teams were playing by tournament rules which did not allow new innings to start after two hours so they game drew to a close after the Panthers secured the third out of the inning.

Six hits were collected by the Panthers during the game. Cal, Danny and Matthew had two hits each.  Cal and Matthew both had a single and a double.  Danny had two doubles.

James Reed (5-0) pitched five and two thirds innings. He allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits.  He walked three batters and struck out ten.  Will Lawyer finished the game on the mound drawing a 6-3 (shortstop to first) groundout to end the game.

The Panthers play again on Thursday morning against the Huntsville (AL) Falcons. The win improves the Panthers record to 21-8

State Championship Finals: Panthers – 4                               Savannah Hurricanes – 0

The Panthers advanced to their third straight state Home School baseball championship, besting the Low Country Wildcats by a score of 15-0 in one semi-final. The Savannah Hurricanes advanced by beating the Upstate Eagles in the other semi-final.  This was the third different team that PAC has faced in the finals (Anderson Cavaliers in 2015 and Upstate Eagles in 2016) as they were looking for their third straight championship.

Savannah was the visiting team so they got to try and dent the scoreboard first, and in hindsight, this was their best chance to score against the Panthers. Their leadoff hitter, Baker Collins, singled to right field and Austin Cobb followed with a single to left field putting runners at first and second with no outs.  Their next hitter flew out to center field and then James Reed, the Panther’s starting pitcher, struck out the next two hitters to close out the top of the first.  In the bottom of the first, James and Cal Hucks both singled but were stranded at third and second respectively.

Both teams went quietly in the second inning and the Hurricanes were retired in order in the top of the third inning; partially thanks to a leaping catch of a liner off of the bat of Baker Collins by Avery Blevins at second. In the bottom of the frame, the Panthers finally broke through.  William Lawyer was walked to begin the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  John Edens followed with a single between third and short.  The Hurricane third baseman made a great diving stop but his throw to first skipped by the first baseman and into the Panther dugout.  This allowed William to score and send John to second.  James Reed then doubled with one out to score John from second.  James scored on a single by Danny Waller and the Panthers led 3-0 after three innings.

Both teams were retired in order in the fourth inning and the Hurricanes had the same fate in the top of the fifth but the Panthers managed to add one to their lead in the bottom of that inning. James Reed had his third hit of the game and advanced to second on Cal Huck’s second single.  A third straight single, this one by Danny Waller, scored James from second extending the Panther’s lead to 4-0.

In the top of the sixth inning, the first two Hurricane batters grounded out to Avery Blevins at second base.  After Austin Cobb singled, Ryan Osako popped up to the Panther pitcher, James Reed, to end the top half of the inning.  At the break, the umpires held a conference and decided to end the game due to darkness.  The lights on the field where the championships were being held were struck by lightning earlier in the week and one whole bank of lights behind home plate had not yet been repaired and player safety was quickly becoming an issue.  And just like that, the Panthers were state champions for the third year in a row.

The Panthers outhit the Hurricanes eight to four. James Reed and three singles and scored twice.  Danny Waller had two hits with two RBI’s.  Cal Hucks also singled twice and John Edens had the other hit for PAC.

James Reed threw a complete game for the Panthers. He allowed four hits while striking out seven Hurricane batters.  He did not walk a batter in improving his record to 4-0.

James Reed and Cal Hucks were named players of the game and Danny Waller was named MVP of the tournament. The two victories improved the Panthers record to 20-8.

The Panthers leave for the National Association of Christian Athletes baseball tournament in Dayton, Tennessee on Tuesday to close out their season.

State Championship Semi-Finals: Panthers – 15                 Low Country Wildcats – 0

The Panthers ran away and hid in this game early and then tried to get as many players in the game as they could, in a game shortened to three innings. The Panthers scored four runs in the first, ten runs in the second and one in the third.

James Reed had three singles and three RBI’s. Danny Waller two hits, including a double, with one RBI.  Will Lawyer doubled and singled and knocked in three runs.  Others with hits include John Edens, Parker Pocock, Cal Hucks, Jacob Robinson and Avery Blevins.  The Panthers had 21 productive at bats.

Danny Waller got the win improving his record to 6-0. He allowed one hit and struck out three.

Danny Waller and Will Lawyer were named players of the game.

PAC ALL-SPORT PICNIC 
Cost: $2/person or $10/family 
Location: big shelter at Pine Island 
Address: 150 Pine Island Rd, Columbia SC
Date:Tuesday 30th of May. 
Time: 2:00-8:00 
Cookout: @5:30 
Senior Recognition: 6:00
 
Everyone needs to bring a two liter drink, side dish, and desert.  PAC will 
provide hamburgers and hotdogs and paper products. 
 
All will need to go to the sign up genius (link below) for us to track the 
number of expected guests. If that number nears 200 we will need to secure a 
second shelter. 
 
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4aaaab2aa75-pacpicnic1 
 
There is a note section in the sign up that should be used for people to 
indicate what they are bringing. 
 
We expect at least one parent to be in attendance with the kids. We have had 
problems with kids coming by themselves or being dropped off by a parent in the 
past. 
 
Attire: this is a picnic but we expect everyone to still be dressed 
appropriately.  
Girls: no shorty shorts or bellies showing, no bikinis (swim shirts can be worn 
over top) 
Boys: no low hanging shorts, shirts must be worn unless you are swimming 
 
There is so much for all to do if this is your first time coming out to Pine 
Island. 
There is a sandy beach area and lake access for swimming, a great play ground 
for younger siblings, a sand pit volleyball court, tennis courts, field for 
soccer, frizbee, etc, and baseball field.  You can also do nothing but bring a 
chair and sit at the side of the lake. 
 
This is a time to celebrate another great PAC sports 
year!

Panthers – 7       Ben Lippen – 10

The Panthers fell to the Ben Lippen Falcons on Friday night at Senior night at Ben Lippen. Ben Lippen did most of its damage early as the Panthers found themselves trailing 8-0 after two innings.  The big blow in the first inning was a grand slam by the Falcon left fielder (Garett Summers).  The Falcons took advantage of three Panther errors in the second inning to move out to almost an insurmountable lead.

The Panthers scored one run in the top of the fourth inning when Micah West walked and scored on an error by the Falcon left fielder. The Falcons got that run back in the bottom of the fifth inning when Will Taylor scored on a double by Robert Satcher.

The Panthers exploded back into the game in the top of the sixth when they scored six runs. Micah West led the inning off and was hit by a pitch to reach first base.  Parker Pocock singled to put runners on first and second.  Danny Waller then singled to left field to plate the first run of the inning.  Parker advanced to third on Danny’s hit and scored on a wild pitch. James Reed singled and Danny scored on the throw.  Cal Hucks doubled to put runners at second and third.  Matthew Derrick then singled to score James and the Falcons managed to get the first out of the inning when they threw out Cal at home on a bang, bang play.  Avery Blevins reached on a single and went to second on a wild pitch.  Both Matthew and Avery scored on a single by Will Lawyer.

The Falcons added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning and the Panthers were unable to mount a rally in the seventh so the game ended in the Falcon’s favor.

The Panthers actually outhit the Falcons by a 16-9 margin which is surprising since the Panthers are the team that walked away with the loss. Parker continued his recent surge at the plate slapping three singles and scoring one run.  James Reed had three hits and Danny Waller contributed two singles with both scoring one run.  Cal Hucks doubled and singled.  Matthew Derrick had two singles and a double.  Avery, McKinley Proctor and Will Lawyer all contributed singles with Will knocking in two runs.

The loss dropped the Panthers record to 18-8. They take to the diamond again next Saturday in Charleston at the SC homeschool state baseball championships.

Panthers – 4       Upstate Eagles – 2

Senior Night was a success as the program was able to honor its Seniors and their families on the field prior to the game. Led by its Seniors, the Panthers then went out and defeated the Upstate Eagles 4-2 and, afterwards, everyone came down on the field to eat ice cream sundaes and listen to beach music.

This Senior night was the first annual “beach night”. Fans of the Panther baseball program were encouraged to wear beach shirts and more than one beach ball was being batted around the stands while the game was in progress.  An impromptu game of volleyball also broke out in the outfield grass while everyone was enjoying their ice cream.

When the Panthers took the field for their warmups, they were all clad in beach shirts and it made quite a colorful scene. After warmups, the Panthers put on their jerseys and turned to the business at hand.  A record nine Seniors were in the field for the Panthers as the game began with Danny Waller on the mound.  Danny held the Eagles scoreless in the top of the first thanks to a nifty double play started by James Reed, who probably had his finest defensive game of the year.  The Panthers were also held scoreless in the first inning as Clayton Lancaster allowed two base runners, but stranded them at second and third.

Both teams were scoreless in the second inning and the Eagles did not score in the top of the third. The bottom of that frame was when the Panthers finally broke through.  John Edens led off with a single to left field and then stole second base.  Parker Pocock drew a walk and both runners advanced one base on James Reed’s long fly ball that was caught at the left field fence for the first out of the inning.  John had rounded third on the play and but had put on the brakes and was heading back to third when Parker came sliding in to the same base.  Parker realized his error and jumped to his feet to head back to second.  The Eagle catcher saw Parker heading back to second and threw that way to get him out.  Seeing the throw to second, John broke for home.  The Eagles let Parker reach second safely and threw home again to try and get John out.  The reached home ahead of John but the catcher dropped the ball allowing John to slide in safely.  Parker later scored on a wild pitch giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead after three.

The Panthers tacked on a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Will Lawyer led off with a double to deep right field.  Austin Coates laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to advance Will to third.  Will scored when the pitcher did not come all the way set during his motion and the umpires called a balk scoring Will.

The Eagles clawed their way back into the game in the top of the fifth. Braden Lancaster led off with a single and he was sacrificed to second.  A walk and another single loaded the bases for the Eagles.  Ian Moore then singled to drive in two runs.  The batter tried to advance to second on the play but he was gunned down ending any further Eagle scoring chances.

The Panthers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Jacob Robinson drew a walk with two outs.  He advanced to second on John’ second hit of the game and scored on Parker Pocock single.  The Eagles fought to the end getting hits to put runners at first and second to begin the 7^th inning, but three straight infield pop ups ended the game in the Panthers favor.

The Panthers banged out eight hits in the game. John Edens had three singles to lead the Panthers at the plate.  Parker reached base all four times he was at the plate with three walks and one hit.  Will Lawyer and Cal Hucks both doubled and James Reed and Austin Coates both singled. The Panthers had thirteen productive at bats in the game.

Danny Waller was the starting hurler for PAC. He pitched five innings allowing two earned runs on six hits.  He only struck out one batter while walking two.  Will Lawyer relieved Danny, pitching the final two innings.  He allowed two hits and walked one in earning the save.

As previously stated, the win improves the Panthers record to 18-7. This was the last home game for the Panthers during the 2017 season.  The Panthers close out the regular season against Ben Lippen on Thursday.  They then will practice until they take to the diamond in the 2017 state homeschool championships on May 5^th.

The Panthers baseball family would like to invite our PAC family to Senior Night this Friday night at Bray Park as the Varsity baseball takes on the Upstate Eagles at 6:00 in the last home game of the 2017 season.  Pregame festivities will begin at 5:30 as we honor nine Seniors who will be leaving the program after this season.  If you have never attended a Panther baseball game, this would be a great time to experience the good baseball, fun and music of Panther baseball.

This game as been designated as “Beach Night” and all attendees are encouraged to wear their loudest beach shirts.  After the game, everyone will be invited down to the infield to help the Panthers celebrate the Senior’s contributions to our program.  We will be playing beach music and, who knows, maybe we can get some experts to show the rest of us how to shag.  We will be offering ice cream sundaes (while supplies last) to all who join us on the infield after the game.  Donations will be accepted.

We will be operating a canteen with cold drinks and snacks during the game.

Bray Park is located at 280 Bray Park Road, West Columbia, SC  29172.

We hope to see you there.

Panthers – 10                     Richard Winn – 0

The Panthers rebounded from the loss to Augusta Christian to a win a rain soaked game against the Eagles from Richard Winn. After holding the Eagles scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Panthers exploded out of the gate by plating four runs.  John Edens doubled to start things off and then stole third base.  Parker Pocock was walked and stole second.  Cal Hucks walked to load the bases with one out.  Danny Waller slapped a line drive to right field that the Eagle right fielder misplayed allowing the Panthers to empty the bases with Danny ending up on third.  Danny scored on a sacrifice fly by Avery Blevins.

John scored his second run in as many innings when he was walked and stole second and third. James Reed singled to score John and to move Parker to third after Parker had reached on a walk.  Parker then scored on a sacrifice fly by Cal Hucks.  After two innings, the Panthers led 6-0.

Parker scored his third run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. He scorched a line drive to center field.  The center fielder rushed in to field the ball but the ball skipped on the wet grass, bouncing over the charging fielder’s glove and kept rolling until it nestled up against the fence in dead center field.  Parker kept chugging around the bases and reached home before the Eagle fielder’s were able to retrieve the ball and get it back in the infield.

The field conditions were continuing to worsen as it had drizzled since the second inning and the game was now in the bottom of the fifth. Several people helped work on the field between innings to keep it in a playable condition (special thanks to Caleb Reed, Clint Lawyer and Kim Pocock) but it was getting to the point where the game would need to be stopped for safety reasons.  The Panthers were three runs short of ending the game on their own so they went out and scored three runs.  Danny Waller, Caleb Green and Austin Coates all received walks to load the bases but there were two outs.  John Edens hit his second double of the game to plate the first two runs.  Parker received a walk to reload the bases.  James then drew a walk to force in Austin with the game ending run.

The Panthers only had six hits on the night with John leading the way with two doubles. Others with hits include Parker (a single with three walks), James Reed (single), Danny (single) and Avery (single).  John and Danny had two RBI’s and Parker scored three runs.

Matthew Derrick was the winning pitcher for PAC, improving his record to 2-2. He only allowed on hit on the night while striking out five and walking four.

The win improves the Panthers record to 16-7.

Panthers – 6                       Augusta Christian – 12

A modest four game winning streak by the Panther varsity baseball squad came crashing to a halt on Tuesday night as the Lions of Augusta Christian stalked the Panthers at Bray Park and walked away with a victory. The Panthers struck first by plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning after holding the Lions scoreless in the top of the inning.  John Edens reached on an error and went second on a passed ball.  He advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by Parker Pocock and scored on an error by the Lion right fielder which also allowed Cal Hucks to reach base safely.  Danny Waller doubled with two outs to drive in Cal.

The Lions responded immediately by scoring four runs in the top of the second on the strength of three hits, including a double and a triple. They added two more runs in the top of the third inning on three more hits and a Panther error.

John and Parker both scored in the bottom of the fifth inning to get the Panthers back with striking distance (6-4 Lions). Both singled with two outs and then both scored on a double to deep left center field by James Reed.

Augusta Christian put the game away in the top of the seventh inning when they plated six runs. They got the bases loaded with no outs and then everything went wrong for the Panthers.  The Panthers committed three errors in the inning but the Lions helped their own cause with three hits in the inning, only one of which got out of the infield.  The Panthers tried to mount a comeback and scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh but the hole they were in was just too deep to climb out of.  Will Lawyer led off the inning with a double and Jacob Robinson came in to pinch run for him.  Jacob scored on a double by Parker Pocock.  Parker then scored on a triple by Cal Hucks.

Parker and Will Lawyer led the Panthers at the plate with two hits apiece, with both hitting a single and a double. Cal Hucks contributed a triple and James Reed and Danny Waller both connected for doubles.  John Edens had the only other hit for PAC.  The Panthers only had ten productive at bats against their per game goal of fourteen.

Matthew Derrick was the starting pitcher for PAC. He pitched five innings allowing six runs, three of which were earned.  He gave up eight hits while striking out two.  Will Lawyer pitched the final two innings.  He gave up six unearned runs on three hits.  He walked one batter and struck out two.

The loss drops the Panthers record to 15-7.