Panthers strike late

Creston’s offensive start was slow Wednesday against Atlantic (0-6), but by the sixth inning, the Panthers (5-7) were cooking.

Three straight strikeouts in the top of the seventh saw the Panthers come away with a 6-3 Hawkeye 10 victory over the Trojans.

Sophomore Tanner Ray pitched a complete game for the Panthers, giving up only one hit and three runs.

In the first three innings, Ray struck out five of nine batters, no one getting on base.

“Tanner Ray and our defense were locked in all night,” coach Brandon Phipps said. “We wanted to get back on the right track, and our sense of urgency was much better.”

Creston logged six hits and six runs, led by sophomore Tom Mikkelsen who had a 100% on-base percentage with two hits and two bases earned after being hit by the pitch.

In the sixth, Mikkelsen put up a two-run homer to help seal the Panthers’ win.

Seniors Brayden Schoon and Tyler Riley each scored two runs. Riley, the new lead-off batter, scored in the first inning by walking his way around the bases.

Riley was also instrumental in center field, catching four deep balls.

The Trojans took a 2-1 lead after putting up two runs in the top of the fourth.

The Panthers tied it up with Schoon’s first run in the bottom of the inning after Schoon was walked, stole a base and made it home on a wild pitch.

A scoreless fifth followed before a hectic sixth inning.

The Trojans once again took the lead, scoring one run.

Schoon and Riley put up the first two scores in the sixth, Schoon’s again coming on a wild pitch.

Freshman Logan Stehr got on base with a walk and pinch runner Cason Scarberry was sent home by Mikkelsen’s home run.

Seven of the nine batters got on base in the sixth.

After allowing three runs in the last three innings, Ray would close out the game facing three batters and striking out each one.

RBIs came in from Parker Varner, Ray and Mikkelsen.

Creston played at home again Friday against Glenwood before they compete Monday in a doubleheader at Lewis Central.