Panthers Score 4 in the 4th; Upend Patriots, 5-2
STERLING, VA - In a game moved from April 4, due to inclement weather, The Potomac Falls Panthers hosted the Park View Patriots on Thursday, in a crucial Dulles District match-up. For the 1st 3 innings, Park View's Jimmy Kirby silenced the Potomac Falls bats and carried a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the 4th inning. When the inning ended, Ben Rosado was pitching and the Patriots were down 4-2.
Kirby started off the game strong and cruised through the first 3 innings surrending two singles and facing only 10 batters. In the top of the 2nd inning, the Patriots got on the board when Dylan Smith led off with a double to center field. He then scored on an RBI single to right field by Zach Anderegg. After a fly out that advanced Anderegg, Drew Mason hit an RBI single to left field to plate the second run of the inning. Panther pitcher Michael Detaranto then settled down and induced Adam Flees to fly out to end the inning with the Patriots up 2-0.
The Panthers got on the board in the 4th inning when Chad McMichael led off with a single to center field. After a strikeout, Rob Malan hit a single to left field and both runners then advanced on a subsequent groundout. Then, with two outs, Pat Nightingale stroked a double to the right field gap to close the score to 2-1. Eric Dimsey later reached on an infield error, scoring Malan, and the score was tied at 2-2. Jacob Kline then pinch hit and laced a single to right field that scored both runners and gave the Panthers a 4-2 edge.
The Panthers added an insurance run in the 5th inning when Greg Woodlief reached on an error. He was erased on a fielder's choice by McMichael before Aaron Sweger hit a single to center field. With that, Rosado entered the game, and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Malan was intentionally walked to load the bases and Mike Spring hit a sacrifice fly to right field to finish the scoring at 5-2.
Jacob Kline entered the game in the 5th inning and struck out 6 of the 10 batters that he faced giving up only 1 hit.
Highlights for Potomac Falls was Michael Detaranto (4 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs), Pat Nightingale (2-3 with 1 RBI) and Jacob Kline (1-2 with 2 RBI's). Next up for the Panthers is a road trip Friday night to play the Freedom Eagles, in South Riding. The Patriots travel to Broad Run Friday, in a game which will air on the Gameday Radio Network. The Lead-Off Show begins at 5:45 pm.
