Despite committing three errors and only collecting three hits, the Iowa-Grant Panthers took advantage of some pitching control problems and defeated Potosi 8-2 Thursday afternoon at Jinkins Field in Livingston.
In the bottom of the second inning, with one out and bases loaded thanks to two walks and a hit by pitch, Panther Will Fulton was hit by a pitch that brought in Brody Lindner from third. Myles Pettit’s fielder’s choice scored Maddox Fisher making it 2-0. In the third, it was Lindner’s sacrifice fly that scored Sam Lundell, who earlier walked to lead off the inning making it 3-0. But Iowa- Grant’s pitcher Lindner had control issues in the top of the fifth allowing Potosi to get back into the game. Potosi had a runner on base with two outs, when Lindner walked four straight batters cutting the lead to 3- 2.
Iowa-Grant responded in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Everett Zimmer singled. Lundell walked and Brock Hinderman reached base on an infield error. With bases loaded, Liam Hildreth connected on a single to center that scored Zimmer and Lundell. After Fisher walked to load the bases again, Treyton Loeffelholz was hit by a pitch which scored Hinderman. Owen Wyatt then singled to score Hildreth, and Will Fulton’s sacrifice fly scored Fisher from third making it 8-2 and ultimately the final score.
Lindner pitched 4.2 innings for the Panthers allowing one hit, two runs (none earned). He struck out four and walked five. Hildreth pitched 2.1 innings and allowed one hit, he struck out one and walked one. Of their three hits, Zimmer, Hildreth and Wyatt each had one for the Panthers.