Carlisle hands Creston its first baseball loss

CARLISLE — The Panthers (3-1) struggled offensively Friday against the Carlisle Wildcats (1-0), going three-and-out in four innings in a 7-0 loss.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats logged 11 hits against the Panthers’ bullpen, starting with two runs in the first inning.

The Panthers utilized Tanner Ray on the mound for three innings. He struck out two batters and allowed nine hits and five runs. Rhett Driskell came in for just over two innings, also striking out two batters. He gave up two hits and two runs.

The Panthers were missing seniors Brayden Schoon and Tyler Riley, junior Seth Gordon and sophomore Tom Mikkelsen as they were at the state track and field meet.

Freshman Brady McDonald filled in at catcher while Gabe Blazek, Landyn Scherer and Logan Stehr joined Mark Kasha in filling outfield positions.

On offense, the Panthers logged five hits in the shut out.

Ray, Stehr, Parker Varner, Mattias Schultes and McDonald each connected for a hit. Ray and Stehr also got on base with walks, but Ray was the only Panther to get farther than first base. No one advanced past second.

Creston is on the road this week. They played a doubleheader at Harlan Tuesday followed by games at Red Oak and ADM Thursday and Friday, respectively.

They return home Monday in a doubleheader with Lewis Central.