File photo – Freshman Pat Wilson had one of McKinleyville’s seven base hits in Tuesday’s defeat.

The McKinleyville Panthers lost a non-league game against Trinity at Mack High on Tuesday, falling 9-4.

The Panthers got off to a fast start and opened up a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but they were unable to keep the momentum going as the visitors kept chipping away with runs in each of the opening four innings.

“We just didn’t take care of the baseball today,” McKinleyville head coach Mike Dobrec said. “It was just one of those games, and Trinity made plays when they had to and we didn’t.”

Seven players hit successfully for the home team, including impressive sophomore Kolbey Stolpe, who had a two-run home run.

Tenoch Tapia also had a base hit and an RBI, while Pat Wilson was 1-for-2 and Jack Saso, Riles Egbert, Tyson Bragg and Jackson Kelly each also had a hit.

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 8-6 on the season.

The McKinleyville boys will try to bounce back when they return to league play on Wednesday afternoon.

The Panthers open a three-game series against Del Norte at Mack High at 4 p.m.