Top Ranked Valley Routs Pinnacle

Pinnacle’s Zach Gibson steps off first base awaiting a pitch against Valley on September 21, 2018.
Pinnacle baseball lost 12-1 on Friday to top ranked and region leader Valley Buffalos.
In front of the home crowd the Panthers got to try and upset the defending 1A State champion but couldn’t produce the hits necessary to match the skill of Valley.
After a great first inning of defense led by pitcher Stetson Motte, the Panthers would allow 11 runs the next two innings to put them in a big hole to dig out of.
“They were a great ball club and they hit the ball amazing. They had base hits like little bloopers and they hit the gap, there is nothing you can do with that,” said Pinnacle Head Coach Eric Hansen.
The Panthers would struggle to get on base in the second and third innings facing a stout Valley defense along with some solid pitching from Orrin Wood. 
Wood only allowed four hits in four innings of work include no hits in the second and this innings.
“They brought the intensity level more than we did today. The intensity level was a big difference in the game,” said Pinnacle’s Jaxson Carlisle.
If you take away the second and third innings, the Panthers played a very good defensive game especially in the last two innings with Zach Gibson on the mound. 
“We are getting down to crunch down time and Zach is one of our leaders and he has taken it upon himself to get on base, to take over the infield and the outfield to lead the guys,” said Hansen.
In the final two innings Pinnacle’s offense would start to kick in with Wood wearing down on the mound.
Michael Schmitz led the Panthers at the plate with a single and double.
“We hit the ball and that is all that we can ask. We got a lot of base hits but we had some groundouts but they played well today,” said Hansen.
The lone Pinnacle run that crossed home plate was off the bat of Schmitz when his fifth inning single got passed the Valley shortstops glove.
Valley would win the game in five innings due to the 10-rule and remain at the top of the region standings.
Up next for Pinnacle is senior night against Wayne on Monday, a team they lost to earlier in the season.
“I hope we can get a win for sure and take down the number two team. I hope we can get the bats going early and that the defense can stick together so we can get the win on senior night,” said Carlisle.
Monday’s game will begin at 3 p.m. with Carlisle pitching for the Panthers.