The key sequence in Alba-Golden’s 10-7 win last Wednesday against the visiting Como-Pickton Eagles came in the top of the fifth inning. 

The Panthers had just knocked the Eagles starter out of the game in the bottom of the fourth and had taken a 7-4 lead. The game had been tight, and Como-Pickton was anxious to get back to the plate and re-establish their early lead. 

Alba-Golden needed a quick inning in the field. The lead-off Eagle, however, reached on an error. He got a good jump on an ensuing pitch and looked to have stolen second. Panther catcher Brett Sutton sent a bullet throw down to second on one hop. It was perfectly placed and caught the runner in the nick of time for the out.

The effect of this play was palpable. The Como-Pickton dug out deflated, while the Alba-Golden team was clearly buoyed by Sutton’s throw. 

The Panthers went on to add three runs and held off a late charge by Como-Pickton to secure the win. 

Alba-Golden is playing some solid baseball. Despite two errors – the aforementioned throw and a missed suicide-squeeze signal – the Panthers are performing in all areas of the game. 

The team also overcame some lapses. Starter Mason Smith stumbled in the first inning, starting the game with three consecutive walks. He corrected and gave up only two hits in the next four innings.  

He yielded to Boogie Trimble in the sixth, who himself was relieved by Tucker Samples.

Samples did what he does best, generating ground balls and pop-outs. The Panthers turned a classic 4-6-3 (Cason Boyd to Trimble to Smith) double play to end the Como-Pickton sixth. 

In the top of the seventh Boyd ranged far from his second base position to make a diving effort on a fading Texas Leaguer in right field. He nearly came up with a circus catch.

The Panthers rang up eight base hits on the night. Landon Dunham – who scorched two balls into right-center – and Trimble recorded multiple hits. Cooper Christian, Boyd and Easton Samples also delivered base hits.

One characteristic of the game which speaks well for the Alba-Golden side, especially as they head into the playoffs, is their ability to recover from bad at-bats or miscues in the field. This team recognizes that they can play at a high standard. It is a good sign heading into the second season. 

Samples shut the door on Como-Pickton with consecutive strike-outs, and the Panthers had taken the first game of the series. 

In the second game of the final regular season series Thursday, Alba-Golden was shut out 3-0 on a Como-Pickton one-hitter.

The Panthers enter the playoffs against Linden-Kildare, with a double header at Hooks on Friday, May 1 starting at 5:30 p.m. If a third game is needed it will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hooks.