In the Panthers’ season opener, they were in a high-scoring affair with Platte Valley (2-0), but the North Platte baseball team (0-1) was unable to start the spring off with a win as it lost 13-12 on March 21.
Platte Valley had a huge chunk of its runs in the third inning as it scored 11 total runs on six runs. North Platte also walked five batters and had one error in the inning.
The Panthers had a solid start when they scored on a balk and then Chance Garber had an RBI single as North Platte took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. The Panthers added one more run in the ensuing inning on a sacrifice fly from Ryan York and Kaden Mullendore scored.
After leading 3-0, North Platte trailed 11-3 entering the fourth inning when both teams added one run apiece. The Panthers poured out seven more runs in the top of the fifth inning to narrow the deficit, 12-11.
North Platte had four runs walked in, while Landon Bartlett had an RBI single to send Wesley Meadows across home plate. The Panthers brought the game within one run off a Platte Valley error and Colton Kirkham scored.
Platte Valley scored one run in the bottom of the seventh inning to push the lead to two runs with one inning remaining. When North Platte was on offense, Creek Johnson grounded out and York scored with two outs in the inning.
Trailing 13-12 with Jaxson Carpenter on third base, Garber was up to bat and popped out to the catcher to end the game. York and Kirkham both struck out four batters, while Mullendore also spent some time on the mound for North Platte.
Bartlett led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Kirkham and York both had two RBIs each. North Platte will be on the road to take on Lawson (5-0) on March 31 before the Panthers have their home opener against East Buchanan (3-0) on April 1.