National Trail — Two early-season contenders met Tuesday night, and Tri-County North Panthers came away with a hard-fought win over National Trail Blazers, handing the Blazers their first loss of the season.
With temperatures hovering near freezing at first pitch, both teams struggled defensively early, combining for several key errors that played a major role in the outcome.
Tri-County North struck first in the top of the second inning. Luke Baughman led off with a single, and Kaden Powell was hit by a pitch. National Trail pitcher Mason Leal responded with back-to-back strikeouts, but a walk to Ben Knife loaded the bases. Peyton Fannin followed with a ground ball to shortstop, and a throwing error to first allowed three runs to score, giving the Panthers an early 3-0 lead. Leal worked out of further trouble by inducing a pop-out from Ryan Shively.
The Blazers answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Grady Ott reached on a ball to right field and, aided by multiple throwing errors, circled the bases to score. Matt Jones followed with a single, and after a pop out, Christian Miears was hit by a pitch. Mason Cordle then delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to one. Braylon Coffey singled to load the bases, and Kellen Laird reached on a throwing error that brought home two more runs, giving National Trail a 4-3 lead before the inning ended.
The score remained unchanged until the sixth inning, when the Panthers took advantage of more opportunities. After a walk and a hit-by-pitch put runners on, Koby Reynolds was hit by a pitch with two outs, and Joe O’Connell scored on an error to tie the game. Shively then walked to load the bases, and Gabe Heltsley’s pop fly to left was misplayed, allowing two runs to score and giving Tri-County North a 6-4 lead.
National Trail threatened in the bottom of the seventh. Coffey reached on an error to start the inning, and after two quick outs, Ott reached on another throwing error that allowed Coffey to score, cutting the lead to 6-5. With the tying run on base, Jones flew out to right field to end the game.
It was a competitive matchup throughout, with both teams capitalizing on defensive miscues.
Heltsley went the distance on the mound for Tri-County North, earning the win. He allowed five runs—two earned—on seven hits while striking out five and issuing no walks.
