Panthers can’t overcome early errors against Rams

After a series of errors put Glenwood (7-6) up early against Creston baseball, the Panthers (9-11) were hopeful for a walk-off victory after Sam Henry hit a three-score home run in the bottom of the seventh. The Rams held on, though, and took the 6-5 conference win in Creston after falling 9-3 in their previous matchup this season.

A long first inning saw the Rams take advantage of several overthrown balls by the Panthers, stealing bases and landing their first four batters home in the top of the first.

The Panthers hoped to rebound on offense, but had two outs before the third batter made it to the plate. Cael Turner made the switch for the Panthers, connecting with the first pitch for a single to deep centerfield.

Eighth-grader Tom Mikkelsen narrowly made it to first on wild pitch on the third strike, sending Turner to second. Henry walked to first to load the bases, but a third out stopped the Panthers from finding home.

Creston began to find their groove defensively in the second with Henry scooping a ground ball and diving for first to make the out. Senior Kyle Strider followed this with a leap to catch a drive that would have gone deep to centerfield.

Pitcher Dylan Hoepker threw 77 strikes on 114 pitches, striking out seven batters from the mound. The Rams’ Kayden Anderson and Evan Soergel combined for 11 strikeouts.

But again, it was overthrown balls, wild pitches and miscues that led the Rams to another run before the Panthers defense ended the inning.

In the bottom of the third, Creston junior McCoy Haines was walked after being pitched four straight balls to start the inning. Turner doubled to deep left field to send Haines to third. Mikkelsen’s hit saw him out at third, but sent Haines home for their first run.

They continued to fight in the fourth as Milo Staver narrowly missed a home run, hitting just short of the fence and bouncing over for a double. Tanner Klejch came in to run for Staver.

Tyler Riley made it to first on a single, and then stole second on a wild pitch to Strider, giving Klejch the opening to steal home in a dive to score their second run.

The Rams scored again in the fifth, making the score 6-2 as the Panthers headed into the bottom of the seventh.

Haines was walked and Turner was hit by the pitch. Turner stole second and Haines stole third before Henry knocked one out of the park to narrow the lead. There were only two runs needed for the walk-off win, but they couldn’t find them.

Creston falls to ninth in the Hawkeye 10 with a conference record of 3-8. Glenwood sits at sixth with a 6-6 conference record. Leading the conference is Lewis Central, 10-0 in H10 action.

The Panthers return to action Thursday at home against Red Oak, ranked eighth in the Hawkeye 10.