Never surrender

COLDWATER - Down five runs going into its final at-bat, Parkway was looking to get some spark.

The Panthers got their spark, fueled with some gasoline.

Parkway scored nine runs in the top of the seventh to take a 10-6 lead on Coldwater, and then held off the Cavaliers' rally in the bottom of the inning for a 10-8 summer baseball win at Veterans Field.

The Panthers (4-3) took advantage of Coldwater pitchers issuing three walks and hitting two batters while the defense committed three errors that resulted in seven of the nine runs being unearned.

"Anytime you can put nine up on Coldwater in an inning is an accomplishment for sure," said Parkway coach Steve Samples.

For the first six innings, both teams had solid pitching with the Cavaliers being able to get a few runs across against Panther starter Dylan Hughes. Coldwater scored single runs in the first, second and third innings and then plated two more in the fifth off Blake Siefring's two-run single before adding another in the sixth.

Meanwhile, Logan Schlarman gave Coldwater five innings of six-hit baseball with just one walk and three strikeouts as Parkway left six runners on base. Zack McKibben then pitched a 1-2-3 sixth.

Myles Blasingame came on in the seventh and got the first out before walking Chaz Neuenschwander and hitting Adam Stephenson and Bryce Mihm back-to-back to load the bases for Hunter Bruns, who grounded to third base. Stephenson was forced out but Hunter Bruns beat the throw to first as Neuenschwander scored.

Blasingame then walked Breyden Bruns and Justan Felver to bring home another run. Hughes stepped up and grounded to short, but the throw for the force at second was off, allowing two more runs to score and cut the deficit to 6-5. Corey Walls followed with a single to bring in the go-ahead runs and Cory Agler doubled two more runs and later scored before McKibben, who returned to pitch, got the final out.

"We've been talking lately about being more patient at the plate," said coach Samples. "Even early in this game, we were getting some first-pitch swings got outs. Last inning we told them we needed to be patient. Being patient got us baserunners on walks and (Blasingame) hit some guys.

"Really, if (Coldwater) converts that throw to first (on the forceout at third) and gets Hunter out, that's ballgame. ... Baseball is an odd game for sure."

"That's summer baseball, sometimes, for you," said Coldwater coach Cory Klenke. "Not to take anything from Parkway. They kept playing. That's what you need to do in baseball. Unfortunately for us, we were able to get to the last out quick enough."

Felver came in to close the game for Hughes, who threw 99 pitches in allowing 10 hits and two walks. Coldwater tried to rally as McKibben and Adam Hyrcko led off with consecutive singles. After a groundout by Myles Blasingame scored a run, Blake Siefring singled home another run to make it 10-8. Felver bowed his back and got a strikeout and groundout to end the game.

"As far as effort and the fight we had all night, it was good from our guys," Klenke.

Agler and Walls each had two hits for the Panthers.

Hrycko had three hits and scored three runs for Coldwater (10-3).

Both teams have New Bremen as their next opponent. Parkway is off until Friday before traveling to Auglaize County while Coldwater heads to New Bremen on Wednesday.

LINESCORE
Parkway  001  000  9  -  10  9  3
Coldwater  111  021  2  -  8  13  4

WP - Hughes

LP - My. Blasingame

2B - P: Agler. CW: My. Blasingame, Ma. Blasingame.

Records: Parkway 4-3, Coldwater 10-3.