(Geronimo) — The Navarro Panthers scored 16 runs over two innings to blow past Austin Akins 17-4 in the opener of the Panther Classic baseball tournament this morning in Geronimo.
Down 4-1 to start the bottom of the third, Caleb Wood lead off the inning for the Panthers with a double. Wood would steal third and then come home on a sacrifice fly from Bryce Nall.
Landun Taylor would triple later in the inning to bring home Marco Moncada to tie the game at four after Moncada plated Gavin Newborg with a base hit.
Hits by Blaine Pircher and Wood, who had two hits in the inning as the Panthers batted around, would lead to more runs. Another Moncada hit would clear the bases following an Akins throwing error to cap the 10 run inning.
Navarro head coach Kris Cavazos said the big inning turned the tables on the Eagles.
“Anytime you have a big inning like that, it’s demoralizing to the other team.” Cavazos said. “They got through our lineup the first two innings and we told them ‘hey you’ve seen them, there’s no excuses now and go do our approach and don’t worry about anything else, just find the barrel.’ And the kids did just that. Those kids have been working really hard and I’m really proud of them.”
The Panthers would tack on another six runs in the bottom of the fourth and then Navarro pitcher Baylor Quarles would retire the side in the top of the 5th to invoke the 10-run rule getting the win with five solid innings striking out eight with no walks.
Quarles pitched in place of an ill Caleb Thomas. Cavazos credited the right-hander for stepping up and he also gave credit to the Panther defense behind him.
“We just told the guys ‘next man up’ and you always gotta be ready. (Baylor) knew he was gonna throw this week, but he didn’t know when. And on short notice, he did a great job throwing strikes and trusting his defense.” Cavazos said. “Freshman Austin Davis at third base made a lot of plays. He did a great job along with our outfield and the rest of the team.”
The Panthers are 2-0 so far on the young season. Navarro is back in action again tonight. The Panthers and Giddings Buffaloes will play at 7 p.m. to round out the first day of the tournament.