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Panthers fall to Newton
By Duane Knight, CorrespondentThe Hibriten Panthers came from behind twice to tie the game, but could not pull off the hat-trick, falling to the visiting Newton-Conover Red Devils 7-3 in 11 innings Monday. The Panthers remain atop of the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference (11-2 and 13-3 overall) and will go to battle again Wednesday night at home against St. Stephens. Hibriten left 12 runners on base, nine in scoring position, while scattering eight hits during the 11-inning marathon. Now, after winning eight straight games, Hibriten has lost two of its last four. “When you have lots of opportunities and fail to take advantage of them, they will come back to bite you and tonight they did,” Hibriten coach Terry Henthorne said. “I send congrats to coach (Corey) Nunley and to Newton-Conover, they came prepared to play tonight. We'll be ready on Wednesday.” Dylan Crump was the losing pitcher (3-2). He gave up 10 hits, walked five, hit five batters and struck out four. The Panther defense committed four errors, but did turn three double plays. With the game tied at three entering the 11th inning, the Red Devils came to life. Newton-Conover scored four runs on two timely hits to put away the Panthers. Trailing 2-0, Hibriten scored lone runs in the fifth and sixth to tie the game. Brad Banks walked to lead off the fifth and later scored on Crump's single to center field. Gavin Christian received a base on balls and scored on Banks' sacrifice bunt. Newton went ahead in the top half of the seventh, only to have the Panthers tie the game again to send the battle into extra innings. Billy Copper led off the seventh with a single to left. Crump reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on Trent Reynolds' triple to the right field fence. Hibriten tried to win the game when Joel Woods attempted a squeeze bunt that was fielded by Newton first baseman Jake Sigmon, but Sigmon gunned down Reynolds at the plate. Reynolds and Bryan Tuttle left the game with undisclosed injuries and Jon Easton did not start the game due to an earlier injury. Woods led the Panther hitting attack with two doubles. Thomas Mabe came off the bench to bang out two singles. Panther JVs win big The Hibriten junior varsity team won 22-7 Monday and improved to 14-2 overall. Matt Wedding hit a grand slam in the first inning and also picked up the win from the mound. He finished with two hits. Also having two hits were Jonathan Whitehead, Kyle Haney and Tyler Benge. Other hits came from Austin Beard, Zach Adams, Alex Austin and Ethan Turner.
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