File photo

Despite being forced to play a Division-1 school in the opening round of the North Coast Section baseball playoffs, the smallest school in the Big 5 almost pulled off the upset on Wednesday.

The McKinleyville Panthers, who were seeded No. 9 in the Division-2 bracket, traveled to Pleasanton to play No. 8 Amador Valley and gave the Dons all they could handle.

The game was tied 0-0 heading into the seventh and it was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock to take the slenderest of leads.

However, the home team would have the final say and plated two runs in the bottom half of the inning to sneak a 2-1 walk-off win.

The new NCS seedings system was not kind to the Panthers.

“It was a Division-1 school we played. It is what it is,” McKinleyville head coach Mike Dobrec said. “I’m proud of the kids. They played well.”

Jackson Kelly got the start on the mound for the Panthers and threw five strong innings to give his team a chance.

The senior, who was playing his final high school game, gave up just four hits and struck out five.

“Jackson didn’t have all his stuff tonight but he battled for us,” Dobrec said. “He gave us five strong innings and he kept us in the game.”

Joe Tanno pitched the final two innings, giving up just two hits.

At the plate, sophomore Rhythm Green had the hot bat on the night and finished 3-for-3 to cap a big postseason run, which also included a good showing in Friday night’s thrilling Charles Lakin tournament final.

Bryce Sargent Kolbey Stolpe and Joseph Forbes-Cappiello each also had a base hit in the loss, with the latter driving in the Panthers’ only run of the game.

“It sucks to lose, but we went out with our heads held high,” Dobrec said. “We had a good run.”

The Panthers close out the season 21-7 and clinched a second straight Charles Lakin tournament championship with a walk-off win at Belotti Field on Friday.

“It was just one of those games,” Dobrec said of Wednesday’s game. “But I’m proud of the kids. They held their own.”

Photo by Erick Fraser – The McKinleyville Panthers celebrate their Charles Lakin tournament championship on Friday night.