Mountaineers Swept by Panola in Early Season Matchup

Game 1:

CARTHAGE, Texas — Panola Uses Big Innings to Down Eastern Oklahoma State, 16–5

The Mountaineers opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Caleb Rey drove in a run on a groundout. Panola answered immediately in the bottom half, as Jose Torrens lifted a sacrifice fly to even the game at 1–1.

Eastern regained momentum in the second inning. Gamble Bye launched a home run to left field to give the Mountaineers a 3–1 advantage. One inning later, JM Long added to the lead with a two-run homer to left, pushing the Mountaineers ahead 5–1.

Panola responded decisively in the fourth. The Ponies plated six runs on four hits to swing the game in their favor, highlighted by a two-run home run from Kade Crawford on a full count. The rally gave Panola a 9–5 lead it would not relinquish.

The Mountaineers' pitching staff battled throughout the middle innings, but Panola added insurance late. In the eighth, Crawford delivered again, hitting a grand slam to left field as part of a four-run frame that sealed the 16–5 run rule in 8 innings.

Offensively, the Mountaineers collected nine hits. Kade Matthews-Boudreaux, Bye, and Rey each recorded two hits, while Long and Bye drove in two runs apiece. Eastern also showed aggressiveness on the bases with three stolen bases.

Game 2:

CARTHAGE, Texas — Eastern Oklahoma State College generated plenty of offense but came up just short Saturday, dropping a narrow 3–2 decision to Panola College despite out-hitting the Ponies 11–5.

The bats generated plenty of offense but came up just short in Saturday's first game, dropping a narrow 3–2 decision to Panola College despite out-hitting the Ponies 11–5.

Kade Matthews-Boudreaux paced the Mountaineers at the plate with three hits, helping Eastern Oklahoma State consistently pressure Panola pitching throughout the afternoon.

The Mountaineers struck first in the second inning when Zach Brame connected on a solo home run to right field to give the Mountaineers a 1–0 lead. Panola answered in the bottom half, tying the game when Tristan Raley produced a run-scoring lineout.

Eastern reclaimed the lead in the third inning as Bryson Carey delivered an RBI single to make it 2–1. Panola again responded, evening the contest in the fourth on a solo home run to left by Jackson Glymph.

The decisive moment came in the fifth inning. Kade Crawford singled to drive in the go-ahead run, putting Panola in front 3–2. Eastern Oklahoma State continued to threaten late but stranded runners on  2nd and 3rd as the final out was recorded. 

Offensively, the Mountaineers tallied 11 hits, with Luke Altom notching two and Zach Brame and Bryson Carey adding RBI's. 

Game 3:

CARTHAGE, Texas — Eastern Oklahoma State College battled in a pitching-heavy contest but fell 4–1 to Panola College on Saturday at Panola College.

Panola struck first in the second inning when Jackson Glymph lifted a solo home run to left field to take an early lead. The Ponies added to their advantage in the third as Kade Crawford drove in a run with a double, pushing the score to 2–0.

The Mountaineers kept the game within reach behind solid pitching and clean defense, but the Mountaineers were unable to generate enough offense against a strong Panola pitching staff.

Derek DeVos earned the win for Panola, allowing one hit and one run over 3.1 innings while striking out eight and walking three. Just Van Den Ouweelen secured the save in relief. Mountaineer starter Ethan Oatman took the loss after giving up two runs on two hits across three innings, striking out three and walking two.

Eastern Oklahoma State managed limited opportunities at the plate. Kaden Dollar and Caleb Rey recorded the only hits of the game for Eastern, while Dollar drove in the lone run for the club. 

The Mountaineers will look to regroup as they head to Dallas College-Richland on Monday to take on the Thunderducks in a single nine inning game.