baseball

Panthers win two non-league games ahead of Lakin tourney opener

Photos by Erik Fraser – Jackson Kelly delivers a pitch in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Sophomore Jackson Kelly dominated on the mound at Middletown on Saturday, as the McKinleyville Panthers swept a non-league baseball doubleheader.

The Panthers took game one 15-0 in five innings, before winning game two 13-1 in five innings.

Kelly, who is enjoying a breakout season at the varsity level, threw a complete-game one-hitter in game two and struck out 11.

He had a perfect game going into the final inning.

Kelly also got plenty of offensive help, most notably from junior Evan Fraser, who finished 2-for-4 with a triple, a double and four RBIs.

Pat Wilson and Riles Egbert each hit a home run in the win, while the ever-consistent Kolbey Stolpe was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Tenoch, Tapia, Kaden Waugh and Flynn Creighton rounded out an eight-hit team performance.

“We hit the ball well, and our pitchers threw strikes,” head coach Mike Dobrec said. “Jackson threw very well.”

Creighton hasn’t seen a whole lot of action for the team this spring but took full advantage of his opportunity on Saturday, also getting a base hit and an RBI in game one.

Junior Branson Dobrec pitched four strong innings for the win on the mound in game one, with Tyson Bragg throwing the final inning to seal the deal.

Bragg also was 2-for-2 with a home run, while Tapia was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Stolpe was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Branson Dobrec helped his own cause by going 2-for-4 with an RBI, while freshman Pat Wilson finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, Jack Saso was 1-for-2 with an RBI and Kelly and Waugh each also had a hit.

Riles Egbert, left, is congratulated by teammate Evan Fraser after hitting a home run in game two at Middletown on Saturday.

With the two wins, the Mack boys improved to 13-10 on the season.

Next up, they will open the H-DN Charlie Lakin tournament under the lights at the Arcata Ball Park on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. when they take on the Ferndale Wildcats.

Leave a Reply