Photo by Victor Tapia
Panther Noel Nevarez watches as he connects
on a pitch earlier in the season versus Gunter.

Panthers sitting in second, first half ended against Braves

By David Jenkins
Staff Writer

The Panthers took another positive step last week toward their first District 13-3A crown.

As of April 8, Princeton (4-1) was just a win back of district leader Lovejoy, which stands 5-0. Farmersville dropped to third following a 4-2 loss March 30 to Lovejoy.

“We have one loss and should end the first round with one loss,” head coach Richard Boring said. “We can always improve, especially in the second half.”

After that there is a three-way tie for fourth, with Community, Quinlan Ford and Emory Rains each at 1-3.

Princeton put itself back into contention March 30 with a 13-3 home whopping of Quinlan Ford.

“We didn’t play our best, but a win is a win,” Boring said.  “Our team knows that they cannot come out flat against our opponent, whoever it is.”

They finished the contest with 15 hits and gave up a mere two.

Connecting for extra-base hits were Colton Boddy, Josh Molina and Matt Wingo, who each recorded doubles.

Picking up the decision was Matt Wingo.

The Panthers closed out the first half of the district season April 6 at home against Community. Results were unavailable at press time.

They’ll travel 7:30 p.m. Friday for a much-anticipated rematch with Lovejoy to open the second round.

“We should take care of business against Community; we cannot overlook them,” Boring said.  “Community will make us pay if we walk out there and just think we should win without putting forth total effort. Lovejoy is sitting undefeated at the top, and we are going to get another chance to knock them off. We will face their left-handed pitcher again (Ross Vance), and we will have to play a perfect game.”

The Leopards won the first matchup 5-0 behind Vance’s pitching. The Panthers finished with just two hits and committed three errors.

Jake Gildner took the loss.

Games left in the regular season are versus Emory Rains (April 13), and three road games: at Farmersville (April 16), Quinlan Ford (April 20) and Community (April 23). 

The Panthers picked up wins over Emory Rains (20-0), Farmersville (3-2 in eight innings) and Quinlan Ford (13-3) during the district’s first round.

Subvarsity report
The junior varsity Maroon team rolled to a 12-2 district win over Quinlan Ford.

The Panthers had 11 hits, and picking up the win was Holton Holland.

After a short layoff they returned to the field Tuesday for a home contest versus Community. Results were unavailable at press time.

That is followed by a trip 5 p.m. Friday to play the Lovejoy JV Black.

Contests left are versus Emory Rains (April 13), at Farmersville (April 16), Quinlan Ford (April 20) and Community (April 23).

The JV Black fell 6-1 to the Lovejoy JV Red team in a road contest. They remained away from home Monday against Prosper. Results were unavailable at press time.

They play another road contest noon Saturday at Celina.

Games remaining in the season are versus the Lovejoy JV Red (April 12), at the Prosper White (April 16), Celina (April 19) and with Lovejoy JV Red (April 23).