Panthers fall to Maiden

The Hibriten Panthers traveled to Maiden on Tuesday night in sole possession of first place in the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference.

They left with a loss that could end up hurting their conference title hopes. The Panthers took an 8-3 loss to the Blue Devils, who are still fighting for a playoff spot and a chance to play in the CVAC conference tournament.

Hibriten (14-5 overall, 12-4 CVAC) has now lost three of its last four and four of its last seven conference games. Maiden improved to 5-11 in conference play.

Dylan Crump (3-3) was the losing pitcher. He gave up five runs on five hits during three innings of work. Jon Easton came in to pitch the final three innings, giving up three runs and five hits. Logan Pearson earned the win for the Blue Devils.

“We heard that Maiden has been hitting the ball well,” said Hibriten coach Terry Henthorne. “That was obvious tonight.”

Hibriten took an early lead in the top of the third. Rightfielder Thomas Mabe laced a one-out single to right field, followed by a walk to Bryan Tuttle. Maiden catcher, Stefan Jordan's errant pick-off throw sailed over first base, allowing Mabe to score from second.

In the bottom of the third, Maiden batted around, scoring five runs on only three hits, an error, a walk and and a hit batter. Jacob Lineberger hit a bases-loaded double, scoring two Blue Devils. Justin Sizemore scored on an infield error, while Lineberger later scored on Matt Kelly's single. Matt Koenig (hit by pitch) scored on a wild pitch.

Hibriten scored runs in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth inning, Easton hit a one out single to left. Gavin Christian reached on an error and Mabe singled to load the bases. Jordan Jones, running for Easton, scored on a fielder's choice by Bryan Tuttle.

Billy Copper opened the sixth inning getting hit by a Pearson pitch. Trent Reynolds followed with a single to right. Copper advanced to third on the right fielder's error and scored as Joel Woods grounded out to third base.

Maiden scored three more insurance runs in the sixth inning on a two out rally. Jonathan Wyant was hit by Easton, followed by hits by Sizemore, Lineberger and Koenig.

Lineberger was the leading hitter for Maiden going 4-for-4 with a double and four runs batted in. Sizemore was 3-for-4, but reached base on all four at-bats.

Hibriten was limited to only five hits, all singles. Mabe led the Panthers with two hits.

Panther JVs win 17-5

The Hibriten JV team won 17-5 in five innings. Kyle Haney was the winning pitcher allowing only six hits while striking out five. Alex Austin and Sean McGarvey were both three for three. Ethan Turner and Matt Wedding each recorded two hits. Other Panthers with hits were Haney, Brandon Curtain, Tyler Benge and Jesse Adams.