EIGHT STRAIGHT

Coming off a five-game winning streak, the Panthers added three more to that total after defeating Red Oak Thursday and sweeping Clarke in a doubleheader Friday.

Creston vs. Red Oak

Though the Panthers (12-7, 7-4) would win the game 13-3 on a 10-run mercy rule in the fifth, a major moment in the game was senior Brayden Schoon’s grand slam in the third inning.

Schoon scored twice in the third as he started the inning with a walk. The Panthers put up four runs by the time Schoon made it back up to the plate with bases loaded and two outs. Scoring on the grand slam were Parker Varner, Mattias Schultes and Camden Smith. Every Panther in the batting lineup scored at some point in the game.

Schoon had a 100% on-base percentage on a walk, the home run and a two-run double. Ray logged three runs including a triple.

Freshman Brady McDonald pitched four innings, earning the win. He struck out seven batters and allowed only two runs.

Creston vs. Clarke

In game one against the Indians (4-14), the matchup was neck-and-neck through five innings, the teams tied at 6 apiece headed into the sixth.

Creston was able to put together two more runs in the sixth to close out an 8-6 win. In game two, the Panthers were much more dominant, winning 12-2 in six.

Game one saw an impressive performance by catcher McDonald who scored three runs on three plate appearances with the help of courtesy runner Landyn Scherer.

Tom Mikkelsen scored two runs. Varner was 3-for-3 at bat with two singles, a double and a run. Tyler Riley and Schoon scored in the sixth to take the lead. Varner pitched a majority of the game, nearly five innings. He struck out six batters, allowing only one run.

Offensively, Clarke saw six different batters score. Brock Watson earned the first run of the game. In the third, four sequential batters scored: Eli Fry, Bryce Giza, Gauge Gaskill and Joey Turpin. Bases were loaded when Seth Oswald hit a grounder to second baseman Tommy Sand who threw to Schultes for an out at first. Luke Wade scored the final run.

In game two, Varner again was 3-for-3 at bat with two singles and a double for two runs. He and Schoon led the team with three RBIs each. Schoon’s three came from his second homer of the night.

Though Ray only had one hit in game two, he was able to earn three runs and an RBI.

Ray also led on the mound, pitching five innings. He threw out three batters and allowed only two runs.

Schultes was injured in game two, taking a foul ball to the face and injuring his eye. He will be out until further notice.

The Panthers are hanging on at third in the Hawkeye 10 standings with a 12-7, 7-4 record. In first is Lewis Central, 14-5 overall and 11-0 in H10 play. Harlan is in second at 12-6, 7-2. One game behind the Panthers is Kuemper Catholic.

Creston hosts Shenandoah Tuesday and is at Glenwood Thursday.