MIDLAND The Permian baseball team needed to figure something out late against El Paso Pebble Hills in Tournament of Champions play Friday at Momentum Bank Ballpark.
After keeping the Spartans scoreless through much of the contest, a fifth-inning surge found the Panthers in an uncomfortable spot.
Leading by two, Permian closed out the game with a double play to hang on for a 5-3 victory.
The Panthers were coming off their first loss of the season against Canyon Randall earlier in the day.
“Baseball is a marathon,” Permian coach Tate Criswell said. “We’d rather have two wins today than one, but pleased with how we responded.”
The Panthers got out to an early one-run lead off an RBI single from Caleb Boswell in the top of the first, but couldn’t add on to the advantage with two hits through the second and third frames as both teams struggled at bat through the game’s first three innings, combining for five hits and six runners left on base.
Things started to pick up for the Panthers when Xavier Melendez doubled on a line drive to left field in the top of the fourth to start the rally.
Gus McKay followed the leadoff hit with a bunt to advance to put runners on first and third.
Hayden Abbott came on to run for McKay and stole second, with Melendez and Abbott both scoring on back-to-back sacrifice flies from Bryson Baer and Cooper Golden to bring in scorers.
After a solo home run from Boswell gave Permian a 4-0 lead, El Paso Pebble Hills created some trouble with three runs scored in the bottom of the fifth.
Before the Spartans found a rhythm, Permian attained success keeping its opponent’s leadoff hitters off base.
The game changed when the Panthers struggled in that aspect in the late stages.
“Keeping that leadoff hitter off of first base is big and we didn’t do that often enough late in the game, we did early,” Criswell said.
Matt Martinez broke the shutout for the Spartans, scoring on an infield error, followed by Roberto Chaparro who tagged up after a line out to right field for El Paso Pebble Hills’ second score.
An RBI single from Sal Rocha gave the Spartans their third run to apply more pressure.
Although Permian extended its lead in the sixth, it still had to come up with a response to secure the victory.
In the bottom of the seventh, El Paso Pebble Hills loaded the bases with one out but couldn’t complete the comeback as Boswll got a game-ending double play.
“It showed us that if we face adversity we’ll still be able to get through it,” Boswell said.
Criswell feels that his team can benefit from facing strong competition before officially opening District 2-6A play against Abilene High March 8.
The Spartans provided an example of what the Panthers might see later this season if they want to repeat last year’s playoff push.
“That El Paso district, whoever we get whether it’s [El Paso Pebble Hills] or one of the other teams, they’re going to be tough and play the game the right way,” Criswell said. “I’ve been pleased with the competition because the better teams you play, the better it’s going to make you.”
Permian (9-1 overall) will close out the Tournament of Champions facing Weatherford at 10 a.m. Saturday at Midland Legacy’s Ernie Johnson Field and Andrews at 4 p.m. at Momentum Bank Ballpark.
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